The beauty and mystery of the ocean is to be explored in glorious technicolour at the Isle of Man Family Library this summer.

Yes, it’s summer holiday time and this week we launched our summer reading scheme in style.

Oceans Adventure is the theme of the initiative, kindly supported by PwC IOM, and there’s so much to enjoy for everyone who comes to see us.

Or should we say, comes to ’sea’ us!

As well as the challenge of reading six books during the holidays and a piece of ocean adventure fun homework each week, there are events and challenges galore over the course of the summer, including craft activities and a competition to finally name our resident-friendly octopus!

It’s an informative, fun and creative way to encourage your children to read with lots of things to find above and under the ocean: outboard motor, ropes, driftwood, fishing boat, fishing nets, a diver mannequin in full diving gear, underwater window displays, flying seagulls, flying fish - the list goes on and on!

The RNLI will be popping in to talk about being safe at sea on Friday, August 2 and we’ll be having an ocean-themed fairy workshop on Saturday, August 10, where boys and girls can make their own sea creature or mermaid fairy costume!

What’s more, we will be holding a Beach Buddies information and awareness event on Wednesday, August 7, and a final ’Octo Oscars’ award ceremony at the end of the holidays to congratulate all our participants.

With the chance to walk down the blue carpet in ocean-based fancy dress, a summer of adventure, education and games awaits.

Sign up now.

Registration forms are available from the library and a suggested donation is £5.

The Summer Reading Scheme is always popular and we hope as many children as possible join in.

To keep up-to-date on events and to find out more about the services available, either check out the Family Library page on Facebook, visit familylibrary.im or call the library on 640650.

The website has everything you need to know about the Family Library, Schools Service and Mobile Library. The Library is based on Westmoreland Road, Douglas (close to Henry Bloom Noble School).

by the family Library

www.familylibrary.im