Jamie Stone marks World Book Day with visit to Sutherland primary school
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Local MP Jamie Stone underlined the importance of reading for pleasure as he celebrated World Book Day 2023.
He marked the occasion today with a visit to Gledfield Primary School in Ardgay.
Through World Book Day, every child is given a £1 book token which they can take to a bookshop or supermarket to get their free book. The annual initiative promotes the power of imagination and the importance of reading.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, joined a parliamentary drop-in to champion the cause.
He is calling on teachers, carers, and parents to ensure that reading for pleasure is encouraged as much as reading attainment.
While reading was the only core subject that saw attainment levels improve in 2022, the number of children who say they enjoy it is reportedly in serious decline. Reading for pleasure is seen as a major indicator of a child’s future success – but reading for pleasure is said to be at its lowest level in 18 years and many youngsters have limited access to books.
Mr Stone said: “It is a pleasure to support World Book Day, not least of all because it gives me a wonderful reason to visit local schools and chat to our kids about what they like to read.
"It is so important that every child and young adult in the Highlands has the opportunity to have a book of their own that they have chosen for themselves – and I am delighted to celebrate my own love of reading through the World Book Day campaign.”
World Book Day reaches some 15 million children and young people with £1 book tokens distributed to over 45,000 educational establishments in the UK and Ireland.
