Today marks one year of Bloomsbury Publishing’s incredible collection of short stories, artwork and poems, The Book of Hopes. To celebrate, we are extending the joyful e-edition so it can be enjoyed for free on our website until 31 December, 2021.
Launched in response to the first lockdown, The Book of Hopes features celebrated children’s writers and artists including Sita Brahmachari, Axel Scheffler, and its curator Katherine Rundell. The free digital edition has been visited over 600,000 times by children, families and schools around the country.
Resources based on the book, created in partnership with Twinkl, Place2Be and Babcock LDP, including assembly plans based on The Hope-o-potamus and The Store Full of Magical Things poetry activities, have been downloaded 7,000 times on our site and a further 27,500 times on education content provider Twinkl’s page.
Yesterday, author Katherine Rundell virtually visited St Joseph’s Primary School in Middlesbrough after students won a national competition funded by Bupa Foundation. 5,000 primary schools received three copies of The Book of Hopes and were asked to use its key message of joy and hope in trying times to engage the community. St Joseph’s school was particularly commended for the way it incorporated the whole school with various activities promoting positivity and self-belief in their pupils.
Katherine Rundell, author and curator of The Book of Hopes, said: "Working on The Book of Hopes has been the great sustaining joy of this past year: in part because of the talent and passion of the writers and artists who gave their time and talent for free - it has been a reminder of what an extraordinary place the children’s book community is. And in part, too, because of the wonderful reception: I have been sent hope books, hope poems and hope art from schools, families and book clubs. To see the book set a match to the fuses of so many imaginations has been a true joy in an otherwise tough year."
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said:"Books have an extraordinary ability to provide refuge and comfort during difficult times. I am so proud to have been part of the collaboration between Bloomsbury and some of our most-cherished children’s authors and artists - and it is incredible to know over 600,000 children have already been able to enjoy The Book of Hopes for free.
"Bupa Foundation’s donation of 15,000 hard copies to primary schools across the country has provided tens of thousands more children with access to this book, which fills every reader with inspiration and joy.
"Extending The Book of Hopes’ run on our website means teachers and educators can continue to use resources from ourselves and Twinkl to support children through this very difficult year."