A NATIONWIDE initiative to inspire more children to read while closing the attainment gap could be on its way to Glasgow.

American singer Dolly Parton, primarily known for her work in country music, launched her Imagination Library in the UK in December 2007 - a free book gifting organisation which is devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children in the most deprived areas.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Glasgow councillors will debate a motion, from councillor Thomas Kerr who hopes the local authority will endorse the scheme locally.

Councillor Kerr is asking for the support of the local authority to create a feasibility study into the incorporation of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across Glasgow including any budgetary implications for the council.

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He said: “I think it is a brilliant idea and is a very good motion which could benefit children in the most deprived areas and close the attainment gap.

"Maryhill Housing Association currently runs an Imagination Library and I would like to see this rolled out across the city to benefit other areas including Shettleston.

"There is no stigma involved as the books are delivered to the child's house and not the school where it would be obvious they are getting a free book."

Each month, enrolled children receive a high quality, age appropriate book in the post, free of charge.

Children can receive books from birth to age five-years-old.

Book selections in the UK include popular characters such as Peppa Pig and beloved authors and illustrators including Lynley Dodd.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) assists in the conversion of select titles to braille and audio books for children in the UK who are blind or partially sighted.

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The motion states: “ The council appreciates the importance of reading in boosting childhood development with evidence suggesting that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.

“According to Save the Children UK learning to read well starts early, and good early language skills are the vital stepping stone.

“If children do not learn to speak and listen from an early age, along with developing their understanding of the meaning of words and stories, they will struggle to learn to read well when they get to primary school.

" In fact, reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.

"It is therefore a vital component of our determination to close the attainment gap across Scotland."