Children from Davidson's Mains Primary in Edinburgh hold up their favourite words

The answer is that they all conjure up favourite childhood memories of some of Scotland's most famous authors, politicians and sports stars.

A whole host of people contributed to the debate sparked by the Scottish Executive's home reading initiative, Read Together.

Its aim is to encourage more reading among children and make it an enjoyable past-time.

The Hooked on Books poll of celebrity Scots revealed that Tintin, Dan Dare, Robin Hood, Rupert the Bear and Roy of the Rovers were some of the childhood heroes.

Top reads included The Hobbit, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and any number of Enid Blyton titles.

Popular children's author Vivian French even used to enjoy reading the danger warnings on the back of bleach and poison bottles Reading Together spokeswoman

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, Fame Academy's David Sneddon and broadcaster Kirsty Wark are among the "reading champions" who have been playing their part to promote reading and encourage parents, families and carers to share books with their children from an early age.

A spokeswoman for the reading initiative said: "Many of our reading champions developed their early reading skills through reading their parents' newspapers, the back of cereal boxes, bubblegum cards and even bus tickets and stamps.

"Popular children's author Vivian French even used to enjoy reading the danger warnings on the back of bleach and poison bottles."

Book at bedtime

Speaking about his support for the initiative, Scottish rugby hero and Reading Champion, Gregor Townsend said: "I believe reading combines enjoyment, education and escapism, which is addictive and healthy for young people. Anyone can pick up a book or listen to an audiobook.

"There is a whole spectrum of choice as to where reading can take you. I know I have to have a book on my bedside table."

Keith Topping, professor of educational and social research at the University of Dundee, believes that reading offers a means for children to "lose themselves in worlds beyond their immediate experience, and to find their own personal preferences, pathways and identity".

FAVOURITE READS Euan Robson MSP - favourite book, Treasure Island Alastair Kennedy, Ross County FC - favourite book, Roy of the Rovers Margaret Ryan, author - favourite character, Just William Keith Wyness, Aberdeen FC - favourite read, football programmes Andrew Wolffe, author - favourite read, an atlas

He added: "Children's choices are always likely to be different from the books adults think are good for them.

"The important thing is that children keep reading and parental support will make a great difference to motivation, commitment and achievement.

"Even if grown-ups find those endless dinosaur books not only tedious but virtually incomprehensible, children need to read."

If you want advice on reading at home with your children you can log onto the executive's read together website.