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School events and opportunities
We offer lots of fully-funded events and resources that help learning professionals and schools throughout Scotland engage with our programmes.
To keep up to date with our news, opportunities and resources for learning professionals, sign up to our 'schools and libraries' newsletter or contact us at schools@scottishbooktrust.com(this will open in a new window).
Ongoing opportunities
Reading Schools
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
First Minister's Reading Challenge
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
Live Literature
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
Awards
Young Scots Writer o the Year Award 2023 (Closing date: 21 June)
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
June
1 June: Book Discovery - Decolonising the curriculum through texts (Secondary)
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.
1 June: Authors Live with Jenny Pearson
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
3 June: Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour Presents Mark Bradley - Bumble and Snug as part of Wee Write Festival
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.
12 June: The First Minister's Reading Challenge Celebration 2023
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.
July
17–21 July: Sensory Stories Summer Roadshow
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
August–September
7 September: Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour: Virtual Event with Fiona Lumbers
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
11–16 September: Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour: In–person with Fiona Lumbers
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