AN award-winning children’s author has been appointed as Inverclyde’s first storyteller-in-residence to inspire families to read more at home.
Inverclyde Libraries has welcomed acclaimed writer Maisie Chan to lead the ‘couch to classroom’ project, which aims to build links between school, home and libraries to support parents to share stories with their children.
The initiative will also help develop teacher education in line with the Reading Schools accreditation.
The project is being delivered by Inverclyde Council’s libraries services thanks to a grant from the School Library Improvement Funding, which is administered by Scottish Library and Information Council on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Maisie, will visit all Inverclyde primary schools and create learning resources that will enhance the Libraries Inspire! programme currently delivered to all primary schools.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “There are so many benefits of reading, especially for our young people, so I’m pleased to welcome Maisie as our first storyteller-in-residence to lead this unique new project alongside our libraries service.
“Reading is a fantastic and fun way for children and parents to switch off from the hustle and bustle of daily life, get away from digital devices, and spend some quality time together while learning and sparking young imaginations.
“Maisie will complement the work already being done in our schools and in our libraries by helping to bring stories to life and inspire many more primary school pupils and their families to pick up a book.”
The project will run until June 2026 and ties in with the National Year of Reading this year.
Maisie said: “I’m thrilled to be the Inverclyde storyteller-in-residence. I am looking forward to meeting lots of children in the region and sharing my books with them.
“I’m hoping my love of stories comes alive as I share my journey and encourage children and adults to spend a few moments each week engaging with books and stories as we head into the National Year of Reading.”
