Children at the school have taken on the role of ‘Book Fairies’ and have hid 95 books - for various age-groups - in different locations around the town in special zippy wallets for unsuspecting people to find and read.
Families are being asked to rate the books out of five, tweet the picture to the school and local library and then re-hide them .
The inventive initiative was inspired by the school’s participation in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, which aims to help children and young people in communities across Scotland develop a passion for reading.
This message is also taken forward within the school by the Reading Buddies, a group of 12 older pupils who read stories to younger children.
Positive impact on our young people and children
Shirley Gallivan, Depute Head Teacher at Dunblane Primary, said: “We are really excited to get the whole community involved in this initiative which the Reading Buddies have helped to develop.
“We hope to get more people enthusiastic about reading, and if parents have a passion for reading then it will have a positive impact on our young people and children."
Dunblane Library have worked together with the school on the literary treasure hunt which has already generated a fantastic response on social media since last week’s launch.
Angela Seaton, Community Library Officer at Dunblane Library said: “Stirling Libraries are delighted to support Dunblane Primary School in launching the Book Fairies and we at Dunblane Library are aware of the excitement and wonderful benefits this project will have for the whole community.
“Dunblane Library will also be working with the children to promote reading for pleasure and look forward to welcoming the classes to the Library as part of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.”
Develop important lifelong literacy skills
Cllr Susan McGill, Convener of the Children and Young People Committee said: “This is a wonderful project by Dunblane Primary School which will inspire more children and young people to pick up a book and develop important lifelong literacy skills.
“Judging by all the tweets the school and library have received from happy readers, the Book Fairies have already worked their magic on the community and everyone at the school should be proud of this success story.”
Along with pushing this project forward, the Reading Buddies have also been involved in other aspects of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, including the preparation and presentation of three Scottish Book Trust books to the younger children, and they are now developing a reading club which will take place next term for the younger children.
Cllr Margaret Brisley, Vice Convener of the Committee, said: “It's fantastic to see that Dunblane Primary and other schools across Stirling are placing such an emphasis on developing a reading culture, given its many benefits for children.
“Through this novel idea of the 'Book Fairies', pupils are now spreading the word that reading is enjoyable and rewarding into the wider community, and it's clearly captured the imagination of people of all ages.”
Picture details:
Picture shows the ‘Book Fairies’ from Dunblane Primary outside Dunblane Library as they prepare to hide their books for people in the community to find and read