Three projects unveiled in memory of Bookstart founder Cooling 

Three legacy projects have been announced in memory of Wendy Cooling, founder of Bookstart,  the BookTrust programme which aims to get books into the hands of millions of babies and toddlers each year in the UK.

The projects – a Bookstart travel bursary, funded by BookTrust, to be awarded to an organisation or individual from the global South who is looking to set up a Bookstart-style programme in their country; a pilot project, initiated by Jo Williams, which will install a "Wendy’s House" in a library in Malaysia and a school in India; and a tactile book for babies, written and researched by Alex Strick, to be published by Child’s Play – were unveiled at the Yoto Carnegie Medals award ceremony on 21st June.

Cooling died in 2020 after a short illness.

Of the travel bursary, Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: ‘Wendy was one of life’s true visionaries. Without her passion and commitment, there simply wouldn’t be a Bookstart, not just in the UK but in so many different countries around the world. We are delighted to be able to offer this travel bursary in honour of Wendy and her commitment to children’s reading everywhere to help a country from the global south set up a Bookstart-style programme.”

The three projects are all inspired by Cooling’s lifelong belief in giving all children the right to access great books. She was a teacher, author and anthologist, before developing the concept that would become Bookstart. 

After leaving BookTrust in 1993, Wendy remained as adviser to Bookstart as she embarked on a 25-year freelance career during which she was a friend to libraries, bookshops, families, organisations, authors, illustrators and publishers alike. She informed and inspired numerous audiences at conferences and worked with IBBY UK, Outside In World,  Little Rebels Children’s Book Award, Bookaroo Festival of Children’s Literature and many others.

She received the Eleanor Farjeon Award and in 2009 and was awarded YLG honorary membership and the MBE for Services to Children’s Literature.

Her family said of the news of the projects: “We remain overwhelmed by the level of affection the book world has for Wendy and are so thankful to the people taking their own time and effort to remember her and her contribution. It has been a source of huge support for us all to know she is loved and missed by so many.”

The Wendy Cooling Legacy Group welcomes any further approaches from parties wishing to link activity or projects to Wendy.  Interested parties are invited to contact thebookdabbler@gmail.com.