As part of National Literacy Week, children's authors have backed the Kennel Club Bark and Read scheme.

Reading to dogs scheme aims to boost children's literacy and self confidence

Children's authors Anna Wilson, Andrew Cope and Viviane Schwarz are supporting a Kennel Club scheme that encourages youngsters to read to their dogs.

The Bark and Read Foundation is aimed to boost literacy and improve children's self confidence.

This week is National Storytelling Week (February 1 to February 8) and as part of this The Kennel Club has asked schools taking part in the Bark and Read scheme, to let children chose their favourite books to read to their canine friend.

It comes as a survey by the National Literacy Trust found that only a quarter of children read in their spare time, and one in five said they were embarrassed to be seen reading.

Anna Wilson, author of The Smug Pug and Pup Idol, said: "Reading aloud and storytelling have always been very important to me. As an author, I go into schools and see how reading stories can help build confidence and improve literacy skills.

"Reading to dogs is a fantastic, innovative idea – it will help boost the confidence of children who are nervous of reading aloud in front of a class, for example, and will encourage a lifelong love of books and reading, I'm sure.

"I frequently read to my own dog when I am trying out new passages of writing, so I can highly recommend it."

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