When the schools broke up for the summer last year, Claire Beattie had a mission. By the end of the summer she planned that her son Joseph would have read six books.

And although one a week doesn’t sound a lot if you’re an avid reader, for P4 pupil Joseph it was quite the task. Joseph’s reading had stalled and his confidence had ebbed. His parents even wondered if he may be dyslexic. Claire decided to sign him up for Culture Perth and Kinross’s Summer Reading Challenge. Tied in with activities at the region’s 13 libraries, it encourages kids to read six books over the summer holidays.

Mother and son, who live in Burrelton, paid a weekly visit to AK Bell Library in Perth, checked out a book for Joseph and began reading it in the Culture Café. “The lure of sharing tea and cake definitely helped those first couple of visits!” admits Claire.

But before long Joseph, now 9, didn’t need any encouragement as he whizzed through fiction and non-fiction books. He also won the Summer Reading challenge story writing competition and a gift voucher.

By the time Joseph returned to school last August for P5, teachers at Burrelton Primary were impressed. Said Claire: “The teachers didn’t know anything about him taking part in the Challenge. They were over the moon with how well his reading had progressed.”

This summer Joseph is at it again, taking part in the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge, whose theme is Mischief Makers. As well as library activities and reading, there are interactive online games, word games and a story competition.

Joseph said of the Challenge: “Last year’s Summer Reading Challenge was really fun. I enjoyed having the break with my mum to sit in the café and read with her. I love books now, especially ones with no pictures. The more words the better!”

Sponsored by Tesco Bank, the Summer Reading Challenge last year saw more than 1300 four-to-eleven-year-olds signing up across Perth and Kinross.

Morag Kelly, Head of Libraries with Culture Perth and Kinross, said:

“Sign-ups to our Summer Reading Challenge soared last year, and we hope for even better results this year. We know our Mischief Makers theme and the opportunity to promote literacy among our youngsters will appeal to both kids and their parents.”

The Summer Reading Challenge runs from now until August 18.

For more information on Culture Perth and Kinross visit https://www.culturepk.org.uk/