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Bath Children's Literature Festival crowdfunds to give schoolchildren free books
Bath Children’s Literature Festival (27th September to 6th October 2024) has launched a crowdfunding appeal to give schoolchildren in the south west a free new book each to take home.
Organisers behind the arts charity are trying to raise an initial £20,000 to ensure that schoolchildren from 44 schools across Bath and north east Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire attending the festival’s Schools Programme receive free books. This target would give 2,500 children the chance to take home one book each.
Festival director and co-founder John McLay said: "Having worked with hundreds of children across the south west over the years, we know that Bath is a city with one of the highest ranges of socio-economic indicators. Many families in our county and across the south west may not visit libraries or have books at home. And this inevitably means some children are facing more of a struggle to improve their reading skills and to come to reading for pleasure."
This year’s Schools Programme will see thousands of primary and secondary school children from state-run schools across the south west attend events at which they will see authors and illustrators talk about their work. The Schools Programme, helping bring authors to events and helping schools take groups, is funded by the Coles-Medlock Family Trust. In addition, seven schools in Bath and north east Somerset receive extra funding support from St John’s Foundation.
Fleur Hitchcock, who is a children’s book author, is a regular visitor to schools, said: “The number of children I encounter during visits to schools who have never visited a library or a bookshop is growing year on year. And so many of them don’t own a book of their own. Anything that would get books into the hands of children is well worth supporting and encouraging. Authors in schools without books are fun—authors in schools with books can change lives.”
Sophie Kirtley, another author who regularly goes into schools, said: “All young people in all schools deserve access to books, stories and creative inspiration. This is why I’m so proud to be part of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival Outreach programme this year. I love visiting schools, chatting about books and meeting young readers. It’s a privilege and a joy.”
Jasbinder Bilan, an author who also goes into schools, supports the campaign to give children books. She said: “Owning a book can truly change a young person’s future. It’s magical, special and transformative.”
“After experiencing the magical moment of meeting their favourite author or illustrator, children will be able to take the story home. Ensuring that the pages of each book go on to give them a safe place to explore their imagination and experience other worlds. We want to give every child the opportunity to take the joy of reading home and establishing a lifetime of discovery,” said Gill McLay, co-founder of Bath Children’s Literature Festival.
The page to donate can be found here.
