Dennis the Menace has helped kickstart a new campaign to encourage Dundee kids to get their noses into books.
Our DC Thomson rascal is helping the National Literacy Trust and Dundee City Council with its new drive, Read Dundee.
He met children at St Fergus Primary School, Claypotts Castle Primary nursery school, and SS Peter and Paul’s RC Primary School.
The campaign – the trust’s first literacy hub in Scotland – makes a 10-year commitment to raise literacy levels and equip children, from babies to age 12, with the reading skills they need to succeed in life.
Children living in Douglas, Linlathen, Kirkton, Ardler, Hilltown and West Stobswell will be its first priorities.
As Dennis visited, schools were also treated performances by Mousetale Puppets and a heroes and villains quiz, and children were given books.
Better literacy is known to improve children’s success at school, their job opportunities as adults, their mental and physical health and even their life expectancy.
Jonathan Douglas, chief executive at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Parenting is one of the most important jobs in the world, but in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, it may feel harder than ever.
“Read Dundee will ensure that a child’s right to literacy and education is not forgotten, and a new generation of Dundonians have the reading, writing, and communication skills needed to fulfil their potential.”
Read Dundee, which aims to make sharing stories part of everyday family life, is also supported by the Northwood Charitable Trust and other community partners.
Conversation