Templar children's book profits to be donated to food banks

Bonnier Publishing imprint Templar Books and author Duncan Beedie have entered into a partnership with food bank organisation The Trussell Trust to publish Beedie’s third picture book.

Set in Beedie’s hometown of Bristol and publishing in January 2018, The Last Chip tells the story of Percy, a pigeon who is very hungry. Every time he tries to get hold of a scrap of food, bigger, beefier birds bat him away. He's about to give up when a friendly stranger offers him her very last chip. A "thought-provoking" book, the story touches on the themes of homelessness and hunger.

Altogether 10% of profits from the title will be donated to The Trussell Trust, an organisation that runs a network of over 425 food banks across the UK, giving emergency food and support to over 550,000 people in crisis across the UK every year.

Lisa Edwards, publishing director at Templar Publishing, said: “Duncan came to us with the idea of donating to a charity via his latest book and we are delighted to support The Trussell Trust with a share in the profit from The Last Chip. The story of a very hungry pigeon will resonate with people of all ages.”

Andrew Mallinson, head of corporate partnerships at The Trussell Trust, added: “The Trussell Trust are delighted to be the beneficiary of a percentage of the profits from sales of The Last Chip and would like to thank Templar Publishing and the author, Duncan Beedie, for their support of The Trussell Trust foodbank network.”

Beedie's first book, The Bear Who Stared (Little Bee Books), was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017.

Templar Publishing will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018 and will publish picture books from a host of artists including Jonny Duddle, Sam Usher and Grahame Baker-Smith.