Schools encouraged to create Scrapbook of Hope

Spokeswoman Julia Paynton said: “The National Literacy Trust Hub in Hastings is supported at a local level by Bloomsbury Publishing to inspire a love of reading in the town, raise the aspirations of primary school children, and help adults to access the support they need to improve their own literacy skills.

“Local schools have received The Book of Hopes, Bloomsbury’s collection of inspiring short stories, artwork and poems from more than 130 much-loved children’s authors, illustrators and poets. The book was launched and curated by author Katherine Rundell in response to the first national lockdown in April.

“Children in Hastings and St Leonards are encouraged to enter the National Literacy Trust’s competition for all 5,000 schools who received the donations nationwide. The charity is requesting teachers and children share information on how they’re spreading optimism and hope in school and the community, taking inspiration from the artwork and writing in Bloomsbury’s original version. Primary school teachers are asked to collate the work to create a Scrapbook of Hopes. Entrants will be in for a chance to win a set of Katherine Rundell’s best-selling books and exclusively signed artwork for their school library. One school will receive a virtual visit from Katherine Rundell.”

The competition runs until January 31, and teachers should complete a short form and submit photos of their unique work to [email protected].

“The National Literacy Trust research shows that reading for pleasure improves mental wellbeing, with more than half (59 per cent) of children saying reading in lockdown this spring made them feel better and half (50 per cent) saying it inspired them to dream about the future.”

Conor Monk, senior project manager for the National Literacy Trust Hub in Hastings, said: “I am delighted to be spreading the book’s joy, hope and happiness with primary schools in the area. In what has been a challenging year for all, I know children and schools in the town have done so much already to keep spirits high, so I can’t wait to see their entries to the Scrapbook of Hopes competition.”

Katherine Rundell, author and curator of Bloomsbury Publishing’s The Book of Hopes, said: “I started The Book of Hopes at a moment when the world looked very bleak; and having such a tsunami of joy and delight in my inbox, as more than 100 illustrators and writers sent in their work, was transformative.

“I am so vastly glad that 15,000 copies of the book will reach the kids who need hope most, will be read and pored over and laughed at and covered in food stains and underlined and loved.”

More information on Bupa Foundation’s donation of 15,000 copies of The Book of Hopes and ideas, resources and inspiration for the Scrapbook of Hopes competition is at literacytrust.org.uk/scrapbook-of-hopes.