Families are being asked to donate 'as new' children's books to promote reading for pleasure.

The scheme is run by the Children's Book Project and has a drop-off point in Richmond's TW9 postcode.

The organisation donated some 120,000 books last year to children in partner schools.

A spokesman said: "One in four disadvantaged children across the UK has fewer than ten books of their own at home, and one in eight has none.

"The Children's Book Project seeks to tackle book poverty and to give every child the opportunity to own their own book.

"We believe in empowering children to choose a book they are motivated to read and in the power of reading communities.

"We put on book gifting events that are inclusive, joyful and have a tangible impact on every family that participates.

"All of our books are gifted to children with a view to promoting reading for pleasure and the joy of an exciting or immersive read."

advertisement

The registered charity aims to redistribute thousands of new and gently used books to children and their families.

The spokesman said: "The key to our success is that we're quite rigorous about ensuring that only good condition books go to the schools we support.

"So - as per our website - worn, creased, dog-eared or scribbled in books, and any books not published in the last 10 years should please not be included in your most wonderful donation."

The scheme does not accept foreign language books, tatty, worn or old fashioned books or academic and reference books.

Founder Liberty Venn is a researcher and parent of two children living in West London.

In the course of her work with literacy-oriented charities and with children's publishers she became aware of the positive role that early access to books plays in children's development and in their outcomes.

The locations of drop-off points can be found on the organisation's website which includes an online form allowing people to specify what books will be donated and when.

The drop-off points include St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Walk, Richmond TW9 1SN. It accepts books for children aged 2-16 on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 2pm.

advertisement