Teachers are being encouraged to set up book groups for students and staff as part of preparations for the second Book Week Scotland.

Organisers said teachers should also encourage their colleagues to speak to children about books they are reading, hold regular “drop in and read” sessions and conduct a reading survey to find out their classes’ attitudes to books.

Chris Leslie, schools resource developer for the Scottish Book Trust, which organises the event, said the week was more likely to be successful if steps were taken in advance to embed reading in the culture of the school.

“Last year, a lot of teachers viewed the week itself as a continuation of good practice that had been put in place earlier. We think that’s more effective than viewing the week as the starting point for embedding a reading culture.

“If you’ve got the culture in place, it’s also much easier for the week’s activities to have a legacy,” he said.

Book Week Scotland, a celebration of reading and books, ran for the first time last year and takes place this year from 25 November to 1 December.

To support teachers in their preparations, the trust last week launched new resources and a newsletter.

Mr Leslie said that teachers were also being encouraged to register their students to vote in the Scottish Children’s Book Awards. Every P1 child in Scotland will be given free copies of the three shortlisted books from the early years category during book week. Voting for the winner ends on 7 February next year.

For more information, visit www.bookweekscotland.com.