Jon Gilbertson is reading with his daughter Christina. She is engrossed in the story as he puts on different voices to bring it to life. They’re at a “Reading Champions” drop-in session at Page Moss Library in Knowsley; an initiative to get more dads to visit the library with their kids. “She enjoys coming every week and she gets a lot out of the books that she’s reading,” Jon says, “and it’s a big thing for me as well.”
 | | Dad's have started reading more with the |
“While I’ve always sat down and read with her, now with coming to the library and getting more books I seem to be reading with her more often than I used to and I feel her reading’s coming along in school through us having more books from the library.” “I have fun reading with her and putting the voices to the big bad wolf and the three little pigs. It gets her more involved if I make it fun.” Claire Glenn is the Family Literacy Co-ordinator for North Huyton Sure Start. She says they started Reading Champions to encourage Dads to come to the library and read to their children. Now the scheme, which offers rewards for regular reading, has gone from strength to strength. Jason McTigue, Sure Start Father’s worker in North Huyton is also involved with the scheme:
“Breaking down the initial barrier of coming into a library was the problem but once we got one or two dads coming in interest grew. You can see the growth in the dads too in self esteem, and self confidence.” New member Paul says: “I try as much as I can to read to my kids at home, especially bed time stories. Coming here they’re going to have a variety of books to help them learn. It’s quality time together with the children, If you’ve had a bad day you can relax and read to your children and escape to another land with them.” Although he already reads with his son Dylan at home Brian Jameson says Reading Champions encouraged him to get more involved: “Seeing the lad’s face, seeing him develop better …Give it a go,” he says. “Anyone can do it!” | 
