In response to the COVID-19 crisis, our partner KPMG is donating Instant Libraries to 50 primary schools from today.
1,500 brand new children’s books will be donated to schools that have remained open for vulnerable children and children of keyworkers in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.
The initiative involves schools in 10 towns and cities, including Manchester, Nottingham and Swindon, where the National Literacy Trust currently delivers Literacy Hubs, campaigns and programmes to improve the literacy levels and future prospects of local children and families.
Each school will receive 30 brand new books published by Penguin Random House as well as engaging and entertaining reading and writing activities that can be used in the classroom and at home.
Schools will also receive free National Literacy Trust membership, giving teachers access to hundreds of inspiring resources, school improvement tools and online training for one year.
The initiative has been launched by a trio of award-winning children’s authors and illustrators: Sam Copeland, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola. Their hugely popular books will be included in every Instant Library. When schools reopen and social distancing measures allow, the trio will also visit a selection of lucky schools to inspire children to fall in love with reading.
With the whole country stuck at home in lockdown, being able to travel to different, exciting, wonderful or bonkers worlds through the power of stories has been brilliant. But we know there are thousands of children all over the country who don’t have easy access to these life changing and life affirming tales. That’s why I’m really proud to be an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust and KPMG’s Instant Libraries initiative and I can’t wait to get out to see the libraries in action and chat to the kids enjoying their new adventures this Autumn.
Sam Copeland, author and Instant Libraries ambassador
The initiative kick starts KPMG’s Reading the Future campaign which celebrates the firm’s 150th anniversary and marks its longstanding commitment to transforming disadvantaged communities through literacy, education and skills.
As part of the campaign, KPMG will donate a further 100 Instant Libraries to primary schools in disadvantaged communities across the UK later in 2020, gifting a total of 4,500 brand new books and helping 22,500 children discover a love of reading.
The National Literacy Trust’s Family Zone, supported by KPMG, is also providing all families with free resources to keep children learning during school closures.