ONE of the greatest skills children can learn is how to read.

It expands their horizons and challenges them in many ways.

In an effort to make the discipline more appealing, award-winning children’s authors are helping promote Glasgow’s summer reading challenge.

Alex McCall and Glasgow-based author and illustrator Alison Murray are urging children aged five to 12 to join the library and read six books during the summer holidays.

Glasgow Life has linked up with the charity The Reading Agency and Tesco Bank to challenge children to keep reading during the next seven weeks.

Among the tasks set for the children is an invitation to discover the real life achievements of people in the Guinness Book of Records.

Since 2011, the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland has been drawing children into their local libraries and inspiring them to read for pleasure. It combines free access to books with fun social activities and a creative online element.

This year libraries across the city will be hosting an array of exciting events and activities to help even more youngsters engage in the programme.

Children can borrow books from any of Glasgow’s 32 community libraries, and the Mitchell Library, by signing up for a free Glasgow Library card or Kidz Card at their local library.

The challenge for everyone else is to help youngsters continue to read and realise the value of this activity.