AS the cold nights draw in, this young trio says there’s no better way to stay cosy and warm than to snuggle up with a good book.

And this December, Glasgow Libraries are challenging young Glaswegians to do just that, as they launch the Christmas Mini Reading Challenge, with a little help from five-year-old reading stars Amelia D’arcy, Abigail Gallacher and Max McLaughlan.

The trio of bookworms from Glasgow’s Antonine Primary School visited Drumchapel Library earlier this week to show their appreciation for stories, and the city’s libraries are hoping that book lovers aged 4-12 across the city will be just as eager to curl up with a good book, or three, when the challenge begins today.

Archie Graham, chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “Christmas is a magical time for children, and I hope that the Christmas Reading Challenge will encourage children and their families to come together and enjoy the magic of a good book.

“More than 3,900 young people took part in Glasgow’s Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge, a record breaking number for the city, and I would urge all young Glasgow residents to head to their local library during December to take part in this super mini version of the popular reading challenge.”

Marion Rae, Improvement Challenge Leader of Learning at Antonine Primary, added: “Reading unlocks a whole world of imagination, and helps children to develop key skills for life. By finding enjoyment in reading books, we hope that the children will also find the joy in writing stories themselves and we’ll be encouraging our pupils to take part in this year’s Christmas Mini Challenge.”

To take part in this year’s Christmas Mini Reading Challenge, which runs from today until January 4, young Glaswegians simply need to pop into their local library, pick three books and say the magic words ‘I’m taking part in the Christmas Reading Challenge’ to the library staff. And with a special certificate and activity sheets on offer there’ll be loads of reasons to keep reading all winter long.

Eager readers keen to take up the Christmas Mini Reading Challenge are invited to head to one of the city’s 33 libraries and read three books of their choice throughout December.

Before setting off, check www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries, to find out local library opening times throughout the festive season.