East Renfrewshire MP backs Summer Reading Challenge

Local MP Paul Masterton is supporting a campaign run by Scottish libraries, Tesco Bank and The Reading Agency to encourage children to take part in this year's Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland.
Paul Masterton mp for East RenfrewshirePaul Masterton mp for East Renfrewshire
Paul Masterton mp for East Renfrewshire

The annual Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland, run by national charity The Reading Agency in partnership with Scotland’s libraries and Tesco Bank, encourages children to read at least six books of their choosing over the summer holidays, a time when children’s literacy skills traditionally dip.

The initiative follows on naturally from the First Minister’s Reading Challenge which runs during term time, helping to contribute to a continuation of children’s reading in the break from school.

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Research shows that reading for pleasure is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background, and that children who use libraries are twice as likely to be above average readers.

The Challenge is a unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK which last year got over three quarters of a million children borrowing, reading and talking about their favourite books.

This year’s theme is Mischief Makers; celebrating the 80th anniversary of the much-loved comic, Beano.

To take part in Mischief Makers, all children need to do is to head to their local library where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their reading journey. As children read at least six library books over the summer, they will collect stickers which will help them crack the clues and help Dennis, Gnasher and friends find the buried treasure!

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Paul Masterton MP said: “I hope parents, grandparents and carers in East Renfrewshire will take their children to the library over the summer to sign up for the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland. It’s free, inclusive and makes reading fun – a vital ingredient in building literacy.”

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “At The Reading Agency, we believe that everything changes when we read and we know from our research how much fun families and children have when taking part in the Challenge. Mischief Makers offers intergenerational appeal and we hope this family friendly, accessible theme will inspire more children than ever to read over the holidays and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond.”

Chris Sibbald, head of communications at Tesco Bank, added: “We are delighted that over 40,000 children from across the country will get involved in the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland through their local library. The Challenge aims to inspire children to pick up and enjoy reading books – something that will undoubtedly have a positive effect on their future.”