Derby Book Festival appeal for children’s books

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.  The appeal coincides with this year’s Festival, which will be held from 30 May – 5 June in venues across the city.

Festival organisers are urging local residents to have a clear out at home and collect up any of your previously loved, but now unwanted, children’s books, ideally for children under the age of eleven.  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.

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? 

This is the third Book Appeal made by Derby Book Festival with over 3000 books being donated to date.  

This year, they are also inviting residents to donate money instead of books as not everyone has books to donate. This will be through the Festival website and PayPal Fundraiser.  https://www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/3225538 This money will then be used to buy new books for Derby’s school libraries.

Local residents are invited to drop off their books to a range of venues during the Festival.  These include:

Derbion, City Lab, QUAD, Derby Theatre, University Libraries at Kedleston Road and Britannia Mill, Electric Daisy and Derby College.
The Festival, which is funded by the University of Derby and the Arts Council, with support from several local businesses, will work with local schools, nurseries and libraries to distribute the books to families who need them at home.

Liz Fothergill, Patron of Derby Book Festival said: “We work closely with schools in the city to support the development of a love of books and reading and our Festival activities, including our annual Meet the Author events, sponsored by Cosy, support this.  We know that not every child is lucky enough to have books at home and by making this appeal we hope to give every child in the city a book to take home to cherish.”

As well as the Meet the Author events for primary schools, which this year will include events with Sophy Henn and award-winning writer, SF Said, 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, is Thunderboots By Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown.  Schools will enjoy virtual visits to 190 classes from Naomi and Rebecca in May.

Find out more about this year’s Festival at www.derbybookfestival.co.uk