School events and opportunities

Bring the magic of books and reading to your school – become a Reading School this year! The program provides practical resources, friendly support and a variety of accreditation levels designed to help you succeed and celebrate reading for pleasure in your school.

Explore our resources and apply now at readingschools.scot

Kickstart the reading journeys of individual classes, groups and pupils with the First Minister's Reading Challenge. Spark a love of reading with fun learning activities, author events and the chance to win a national award.

Register your class and get involved at readingchallenge.scot

Through Live Literature part–funded sessions we contribute over half the fees to run in-person and remote author sessions and events. Applications for funding are now open for sessions taking place before 31 March 2024.

Apply for Live Literature funding

Enter with stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes. Suitable for pupils ages 11–18.

Find out more about the Young Scots Writer o the Year Award

Join us for this Book Discovery session to explore a range of contemporary texts you could use when working with young people during the BGE years in Secondary schools.

Texts for young people can ‘normalise’ diversity when embedded in the curriculum. We will recommend texts that promote diversity and portray members of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups in positive and non-stereotypical ways to support learners to see their culture, ethnicity, faith and experience reflected in the texts shared.

Register for our Book Discovery CLPL session.

Sign up for an exciting digital event with Jenny Pearson, author of many hilarious novels such as The Boy Who Made Monsters, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, The Incredible Record Smashers and Grandpa Frank's Great Big Bucket List.

Date: Thursday 1 June 2023

Time: 11–11.40am

Age range: P4–7

Register for Authors Live with Jenny Pearson

Details: 10:30- 11:30am, Mitchell Library. Free but ticketed event.

Join Mark Bradley, creator of Bumble and Snug, the comic novel series for young readers about two best monster friends. Mark will show us how to draw our own bugbop characters and how to pack them full of feelings.

Register for Mark Bradley event

The First Minister's Reading Challenge Celebration 2023 will take place on Monday 12 June in Glasgow, with exciting reading activities and a fantastic programme of live author events, brilliant reading activities and a celebration marketplace to showcase reading journeys throughout the year. The invitation is open for all registered organisations to come along and join the party!

Date: Monday 12 June 2023 Time: 10–1pm Age range: P1–7

Registrations are now closed.

Scottish ASN settings open over the summer holidays can apply for fully–funded, in–person author events.

The week features four incredibly talented, creative authors and storytellers who will visit your setting and hold sessions that are tailored to the specific needs of your group. The authors will engage with the children through sensory storytelling or using props, music, and movement to create a truly immersive experience.

Monday 17 July: Gerry Durkin

Tuesday 18 July: Renita Boyle

Wednesday 19 July: Anna Lehr

Friday 21 July: Joanne Marr

Find out more and register before Friday 9 June 2023 at 5pm

Join Fiona Lumbers for an exciting virtual event from the comfort of your classroom. Fiona will interactively share her latest stunning picture book Ghost Orchid , a story that encourages readers to notice the small things that make life magical. She'll lead a drawing activity and answer questions from schools in a moderated Q&A. The event will last approximately 45 minutes.

Time: 10.30–11.15am

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Audience: Age 5–9

Deadline to register: Wednesday 6 September

Register for virtual event now

Bring much-loved author Fiona Lumbers (Clem and Crab, Grandpa's Gift) and illustrator (Luna Loves. . ., The Secret Sky Garden) who has been drawing on everything and anything since she was small. During her visit to your school, Fiona will share her latest stunning picture book, Ghost Orchid, all about learning to notice the small things that make life magical, and valuing the journey just as much as the destination.

When: 11–16 September 2023

Who: Primary schools

Where: Your school (Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway)

Cost: Fully funded

Audience: P1–4. Audiences of all sizes will be considered.

Deadline to register: Friday 16 June 2023

Register now