Why kids love piling into books

FROM well-thumbed classics to pristine tomes that few have heard of, stories that race along and others that meander gracefully, ones that make their young readers LOL and others that make them reach for the tissues.

Whether it's jolly Enid Blyton adventures, the vivid animal tales of Michael Morpurgo, quirky Roald Dahl or girlhood grief from Jacqueline Wilson's pen. Perhaps spy thrills from Anthony Horowitz or magic from Harry Potter, Charlie Bone and Winnie the Witch . . . the list goes on and on, but what's clear is that children's books have rarely been more in demand.

Contrary to the popular image of the computer-addicted kid, for a growing band of young readers books are a matter for very serious debate.

"The children are incredibly enthusiastic, they love talking about books they've read," says Carolyne Latham, who runs a children's book group at Blackwell's, Edinburgh's oldest surviving book store on South Bridge.

"The children come in to talk about one book and end up going off into all kinds of topics, what they are reading, what they'd like to read, what's made them laugh, what new books are coming out. The discussion can get quite lively."

The children-only book sessions at the store were launched in November to help judge entries for the Royal Mail's Scottish Children's Book Awards.

But they became so popular that they evolved into a full scale children's book club. Now it meets monthly with children aged from around eight to first year at secondary school picking over classics like The Boy with the Bronze Axe, quirky tales such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and works from local children's authors like John Fardell.

For young members like Donnie MacLeary, aged seven, and brother Harvey, nine, of Nicolson Square, it's a chance to share a joint love of books with others. "They love reading," says mum Alison. "They are imaginative and like to share ideas."

James Gould, ten, and sister Lilly, seven, from Marchmont. agree. "I like to find out what other people think about the book," says James, while Lilly adds: "It's interesting to hear what people say about the book. Did they like it or not?

"Books are interesting," she continues. "They take me on a fun journey to the end."

But the Blackwell's group is far from being the only junior readers thrashing out the intricacies of a storyline in lively debate. Television hosts Richard and Judy recently expanded their popular adult online book club - their seal of approval on a book can propel authors into bestseller territory - with a children's version.

Cat Anderson from the Edinburgh Children's Bookshop in Bruntsfield Place, has been running book clubs for youngsters over the past three years. Two groups meet once a month at Starbucks in Fort Kinnaird and Costa in Bruntsfield.

Unlike traditional adult book clubs which operate with every member reading the same book as the basis for debate, she lets her members choose what they want to read.

"Children read at different paces and levels, they have different tastes," she explains. "They haven't the discipline to stick with a book they don't enjoy.

"So children might be reading graphic novels, historical fictions, action, sci-fi or teenage vampire novels - it's a real mix."

According to Blackwell's book club member Rebecca Patrick, aged ten, from Buccleuch Street, it provides a chance to explore familiar books and discover new ones.

"We get to read books that I wouldn't normally read," she explains. "It's always a lot of fun."

• For further details, contact Blackwell's, South Bridge, 0131-622 8225 and the Edinburgh Children's Bookshop, 0131-447 1917.