Schools take part in Big Leeds Book Grab

Today saw a ‘Supermarket Sweep style’ giveaway of brand new books to schools and children’s centres in Leeds.

Schools from across the city joined the Big Leeds Book Grab, with each one choosing up to 150 free books from a warehouse packed with 8,000 brand new titles. With an array of fiction and non-fiction for ages 3-15 on offer, it was a great opportunity to refresh school libraries, ready for National Libraries Week on 7 October.

Leeds Year of Reading officially launched on 12 September 2019. An exciting partnership between Leeds City Council and BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, the initiative aims to inspire a long term love of reading in children and families from all communities and backgrounds. 

The Big Leeds Book Grab is one of a series of activities and events planned by Leeds City Council and key partners over the next 12 months. The programme will engage children, schools and learning settings, businesses, ambassadors, and encourage individuals and families to lose themselves in a book.

By declaring a Year of Reading across the whole city, Leeds City Council wants to encourage a love of reading in children of all ages, as reading is closely linked to academic attainment.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, executive member for learning, skills and employment said:  

“This year we want to inspire everyone in Leeds to pick up a book. From supporting reading sessions in schools to book swap days, Leeds Year of Reading will offer something for all communities across the city. Reading is closely linked to academic attainment and through this initiative we hope to kick start a long term passion for reading and learning in the younger generation.

“I am really excited by what the upcoming year has to offer, reading is a skill that not only sets you up for life but can and should be an enjoyable experience, reading for pleasure, escaping the pressures and realities of life, disappearing into your own imagination. I want every child in Leeds to have the opportunity to do just that, it is something we take for granted but it is something we are determined every child should be able to do.”

Leeds Year of Reading launched on 12 September and will be running until 2020. The new initiative is a partnership between Leeds City Council and BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. BookTrust will contribute over £1million in books and resources for children and families in Leeds over the next three years.

Follow the campaign on Twitter @LeedsYOR #LeedsLovesReading

For media enquiries please contact:

Jen Boyle,
Senior Communications Officer,
Leeds City Council
0113 378 7101 / Jennifer.boyle@leeds.gov.uk