Reception pupils who have risen to the challenge and are on track to read 1.8million words this year were rewarded for their commitment.

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

The star readers from Ravenswood’s Community Primary School’s reception class were each given a book token for reading at home every night for the past 12 weeks, and today they got to use them to buy a book from WH Smith’s in Ipswich town centre.

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Parents went with the children to pick a new book to read together.

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Karen Mills, headteacher, explained that the initiative came about after teachers visited Sydney, Australia last year and met with researchers. They wanted to introduce the reading challenge to help very young children improve their ability.

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

She said: “If children read for just one minute a day, they will pick up 8,000 words a year, and if they read for 20 minutes a day, they pick up 1.8 million words a year.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Deputy head teacher, Alison Knox-Johnston, added: “The kids have been so excited, it’s been absolutely lovely. To be out of school with their parents and come to WH Smiths is a huge incentive for them.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Connor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNConnor Root with his mum Sarah at WH Smiths in Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ravenswood are already seeing improvements in their students’ reading despite the scheme being in its early stages.