Children Can Pick Up Free Books at Barnardo’s Stores This World Book Day

Encouraging literacy among children

The donation is a key step in Awesome Books' ongoing campaign to distribute 100,000 books to children who face barriers to reading. According to research from the National Literacy Trust, children who own books are more likely to enjoy reading and perform better academically. However, one in eleven children in the UK do not have a book of their own at home.

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover the magic of reading,” says Taskeen Ahmed, CEO of Awesome Books. “By working with Barnardo’s, we can reach children who might otherwise miss out on owning their own books.”

Barnardo’s stores will have special displays to make the book collection process engaging for children and their families. The books include a variety of titles, ranging from picture books for younger readers to chapter books suitable for older children. Each book has been carefully selected to ensure a diverse and inspiring collection.

Sonja Green, a representative from Barnardo’s, highlights the importance of this initiative:

“Books open doors to new worlds and possibilities. For many children who visit our stores, this might be their first book to call their own. We're thrilled to work with Awesome Books to make reading more accessible to children across the UK.”

Making books accessible to more families

The partnership between Awesome Books and Barnardo’s is especially significant at a time when many families are experiencing financial challenges. Books are often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity, which makes free access to books all the more important.

Awesome Books has a strong track record of supporting literacy initiatives. The company donates thousands of books to charities and organisations in the UK and internationally, including literacy projects in Ghana, India, and Pakistan, as well as UK-based organisations such as The Children's Book Project.

Based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Awesome Books processes approximately 300,000 books daily in its warehouse and has rescued over 130 million books from landfills. Founded in 2002 by Taskeen Ahmed and his brother, the company was established after witnessing books being discarded at charity shops.

“This World Book Day initiative with Barnardo’s brings to life exactly what we've always wanted to achieve – connecting books with readers who will value them,” says Ahmed. “The 10,000 books we've donated represent not just stories, but opportunities for children to develop literacy skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Our commitment to distribute 100,000 books to children is driven by recognising that book ownership remains unequal across the UK. Every book that finds a new home with a child represents a step toward building a more literate society where reading is accessible to all, regardless of economic circumstances.”

Creating a lasting impact

Barnardo’s staff and volunteers have been preparing displays and arrangements in their stores to make this a memorable event for visiting families. The aim is to extend the celebration of World Book Day beyond schools and make books available to children who may not have easy access to reading materials.

“At Barnardo’s, we see daily how additional support can make a meaningful difference in children's lives,” says Sonja Green. “This partnership with Awesome Books allows us to offer something special to families visiting our retail stores – a free book that could spark imagination, build confidence, and develop essential literacy skills.

“We're particularly excited about the timing with World Book Day, when schools across the country celebrate reading. By extending that celebration into the weekend and making it accessible to all children, regardless of their circumstances, we're reinforcing the message that books belong to everyone.”

Families are encouraged to visit their nearest Barnardo’s store between 6th-8th March to choose a book for their children and participate in the World Book Day celebrations.

About Awesome Books

Awesome Books is a UK-based sustainable bookseller dedicated to reducing waste and promoting literacy. Since 2003, the company has rescued over 130 million books from landfills and offers a vast selection of new and used books. Through initiatives like ‘Buy One-Give One’, Awesome Books donates books to schools and literacy programs worldwide.

Himani Verma

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