Five primary schools in Manchester are set to receive a brand new Instant Library from KPMG, the National Literacy Trust and Read Manchester.
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 National Literacy Trust membership, giving teachers access to hundreds of inspiring resources, school improvement tools and online training for one year.
The initiative is being launched by a trio of bestselling and award-winning children’s authors and illustrators: Sam Copeland, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola. Their hugely popular titles, Charlie Changes into a Chicken (by Sam Copeland, illustrated by Sarah Horne) and Look Up! (by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola), will be included in every Instant Library for children to enjoy. What’s more, when schools reopen and social distancing measures allow, the trio will also visit a number of lucky schools to bring stories to life and inspire children to fall in love with reading.
Sam Copeland said: “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.”
Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that school libraries have the power to enrich children’s literacy skills, academic achievements and mental wellbeing [1], yet only half of primary schools serving disadvantaged communities in the UK have one [2]. This initiative hopes to bring comfort and inspiration to children in Manchester during this uncertain time through the power of stories.
Alice Birdwood, Project Manager, Literacy Communities at the National Literacy Trust, said:
“We understand that these are uncertain times for families across Manchester. Through KPMG’s Instant Libraries, we want to encourage children and families to read for pleasure and continue their literacy development. Taking just 10 minutes a day to explore one of the new books included in the Instant Library is a fantastic start.”
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 150 Instant Libraries to primary schools in disadvantaged communities across the UK 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 digital books, exclusive author videos and engaging literacy activities to keep children engaged, entertained and learning during school closures. Visit literacyfamilyzone.org.uk for more
