Derby Book Festival is launching an appeal for donations of children’s books to be given to less fortunate children in the city who may not have books at home. They are asking local residents to have a clear out at home and collect up any previously loved, but now unwanted, children’s books, ideally for children under the age of eleven.
This is the sixth time Derby Book Festival has organised the appeal. To date they have collected 17,000 books from the residents of Derby.
The appeal is launched to coincide with this year’s Summer Festival, which will be held from 22 – 31 May, supported by the University of Derby and Marketing Derby, many of whose Bondholders support it each year.
The Festival, which is funded by the University of Derby and Arts Council England plus sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals, will work with local schools, nurseries and libraries to distribute the books to families who would welcome them at home. The only criteria is that the books should be in good condition to be passed on – consider whether you would be happy to snuggle up close to your child or grandchild to read the book with them? One of the Festival’s key aims is to encourage a new generation of readers and they firmly believe that it’s never too young for children to start to enjoy books, whether it’s listening to stories read to them or looking at the vibrant pictures.
Marketing Derby has kindly offered the Festival use of the Derby City Lab in the refurbished Market Hall during this year’s Summer Festival from 22 May – 31 May so people can pop into the Lab to drop off their books. The appeal will also have more drop-off points and the following organisations and businesses are supporting the Appeal: Derbion, Moorways Sports Village, Rolls-Royce, Vaillant Live – Legends Global, AtkinsRealis, Mott MacDonald, Morley Hayes Hotel, LGH Hotels – Derby Mickleover Hotel, Holiday Inn Derby Riverlights, Petron, The University of Derby and Wathall’s (all Derby branches and Ashbourne). The full list of opening times for the drop-off points can be found on the Book Festival website. Some local schools are acting as collection points for their communities, including Derby Cathedral School, Derby High, Bemrose School (supported by the Rotary Club of Derby) and Trent College.
Marketing Derby Bondholders are invited to bring their Book Appeal donations to the Festival’s Bondhold Breakfast Event on Thursday 28 May at the Museum of Making.
Professor Keith McLay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby and Derby Book Festival Chair, said: “Books have the power to inspire, educate and create a lifelong love of reading.
“We know that not every child is fortunate enough to have books at home, and so by making this annual appeal, we hope to give every child in the city a book to take home to cherish.
“Those wishing to donate a book to the appeal can drop them off at various places across the city.”
As well as the Meet the Author events for primary and secondary schools, which this year will include events with current Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and with Joe Todd-Stanton, the Festival runs its successful Derby Children’s Picture Book Award. This year’s winner, voted for by six- and seven-year-olds in the city’s schools, was That’s Not Stella By Donna Fredin. Schools enjoyed virtual visits to 4500 children from Donna in May.
The Festival will also have a range of events and activities for children and families at this year’s Festival. Please visit our website for more information.
Find out more about this year’s Festival at www.derbybookfestival.co.uk
