Jamie Oliver opens Essex school garden to celebrate second children’s book with Puffin

Jamie Oliver opened a new garden at Great Bradfords Junior School in Essex to mark the publication of his second children’s book, Billy and the Epic Escape (Puffin). 

The garden features reading spaces and bookshelves and plots to grow flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables. It is sponsored by Puffin with flowers and plants donated by Braintree Garden Centre. 

During his visit, Oliver spoke to members of the gardening club, student librarians and pupils who struggle with reading about his own experiences and how there are many different ways to enjoy and create stories. 

“The brilliant thing about stories – whether you read them or listen to them – is that they can transport you to magical worlds and take you on incredible adventures,” Oliver said.

“But stories can also help you understand yourself and show you that everyone has different ways of doing things. And that’s why I’m super excited to be publishing my second book, which I hope will open up new worlds to the children that read – or listen – to Billy’s new adventure.”

Francesca Dow, managing director at Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “Puffin has always been about sparking children’s imaginations and we’re proud of the many different authors and books we publish to inspire different tastes. We want to ensure every child has access to the wonderful world of books, not only because of the importance of literacy, but also because we know books foster empathy, help well-being, and bring joy. So, it feels very fitting to celebrate Billy and the Epic Escape, Jamie’s second children’s book with us, by sponsoring a garden with gorgeous reading.”

Great Bradfords Junior School is part of the World of Stories programme, an initiative under the Libraries for Primaries campaign run in partnership with the National Literary Trust and Penguin with the aim to transform libraries and reading spaces in primary schools nationwide.