Free books for under-fives
The Year of Reading includes free books for under-fives in Hackney and myriad library events
A Dolly Parton look-alike high-fives children
“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission,” says American singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Dolly Parton.
“In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county, but here we are today with a worldwide programme that gives a book a month to millions of children.”
On World Book Day (5 March) Dolly Parton’s book gifting charity, Imagination Library, was launched in Hackney.
Children under the age of five can now receive a FREE, monthly, age-appropriate book in the post addressed directly to them, until they turn five.
This means a child in Hackney could get 60 free books, thanks to a new partnership between Hackney Council, the Dollywood Foundation and the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Helen Hastle, regional director of Imagination Library, explains: “Reading with your child is one of the best ways to develop a baby’s brain.
“Parents tell us the bonding element is important. Reading to your child is very calming and establishes strong reading practices and routines.”
Year of Reading
The launch of Hackney’s Imagination Library forms part of the Council’s commitment to support the Government’s National Year of Reading. Called Go All In, the campaign encourages more people to read for pleasure.
Reading enjoyment in the UK is currently on the decline, with only one in three children and young people saying they read for pleasure.
As a result, the Council is hosting a variety of events across its libraries to get all ages reading.
At the reopening of Hackney Central Library in February, residents, poets, artists and authors spoke about their love of reading.
Young author Romeo Bremmer, 17, said: “From a young age I was taught that today’s reader is tomorrow’s leader. Education and books were very important to me growing up. The love of books and libraries has been passed down to me.”
Poet Raymond Antrobus added: “I was born and raised in Hackney and I am now on the GCSE curriculum. I think libraries are not just places to come and study – they are the life and blood of the community.
“Books cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence and there’s something so affirming about that. Souls are in a book.”
Poet Raymond Antrobus
Hackney Reading Champions
And it’s not just the libraries that are encouraging more people to read. Hackney’s schools have also joined the pledge.
At the launch of this year’s Hackney Reading Champions schools’ event, which encourages confident readers to share their love of books with their peers, students shared their tips.
Year 6 pupil Rebecca said: “We go to different classes and we try to find books about the things they like. If someone doesn’t like reading but they like football, we try to find them a football book. If someone likes cooking or crafts, we can find that book.”
Fellow pupil Luca added: “We encourage reading in schools, and we help children learn to love reading. We give them new books that they may enjoy.
“I like reading because it can take you to loads of places, even if you’re stuck in just a small library. The book is like the biggest thing ever – it can take you across the universe!”