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World Book Day will expand its work in reaching out to children in areas of low literacy and high deprivation thanks to £94,360 in funding from Arts Council England (ACE).
Sarah Crown, ACE’s director of literature, said: “Arts Council England is delighted to be able to support World Book Day in the delivery of its profoundly important work around reading for pleasure. While we’ve long known the many benefits reading brings—from developing key literacy skills, to broader, deeper rewards such as enjoyment, comfort, wellbeing and empathy—the last year, when so many of us have been restricted to our houses and separated from our loved ones, has truly brought them to the fore.”
WBD said it will use the money to make a more “meaningful impact” on communities, as well as cover the costs for a small publisher to create one of the £1 books next year, which it hopes will lead to better representation in the selection of titles on offer.
Crown said the activities WBD is planning will support children and young people across the country, and contribute to the essential work of shrinking the educational attainment gap which the pandemic has widened.
WBD has also received funding from The Mercers’ Company, which will be used to create educational material.
In its work with partner organisations, WBD is hoping to reach more children this year. It will donate 30,000 £1 books to National Literacy Trust (NLT) hub areas, and will work with libraries in Blackpool, Doncaster, Nottingham and Middlesbrough to reach children who are less engaged with reading. A partnership with Read Good will get 2,400 books to school children in deprived areas, and another, this time with Scottish BookTrust, will deliver 5,000 vouchers to families with young children who face barriers such as poverty and social isolation.
In other WBD news, the teacher-turned-rapper MC Grammar has created The World Book Day Song (Decca Records) to inspire children with a love of books, and all proceeds will be donated to World Book Day.
The BBC and Twitter will help promote WBD; the broadcaster will show a "live lesson" featuring some of the 2021 World Book Day authors, and Twitter has created a special #WorldBookDay emoji.
Stephen Lotinga, chair of the WBD board of trustees and chief executive of the Publishers Association, said: “World Book Day offers a moment of joy and hope to children and their families this year. It’s a time to have fun and enjoy reading together. World Book Day strives to ensure children from all backgrounds can benefit from the improved life chances reading for pleasure offers. The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic mean this mission is now more important than ever."
NLT chief executive Jonathan Douglas said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside the brilliant team at World Book Day to inspire a love of reading for pleasure. While this year may be a little different, we have helped create exciting reading activities, resources and online events with schools still open to pupils of key workers, to bring the magic of books into homes and classrooms around the country.”