Awesome Books Donates 10,000 Books to Barnardo’s to Encourage Reading Among Children
Key Details:
- Awesome Books has donated over 10,000 children’s books to Barnardo’s stores, allowing children to collect a book for free.
- The giveaway takes place from 6th-8th March 2025, supporting childhood literacy.
- This donation is part of a wider mission to distribute 100,000 books to children with limited access to reading materials.
World Book Day is a time to highlight the importance of reading in children’s development. This year, Awesome Books, a sustainable bookseller, is collaborating with Barnardo’s to make books more accessible to children across the UK.
Through this initiative, Awesome Books is donating more than 10,000 books to Barnardo’s retail stores. Between 6th and 8th March 2025, children who visit a participating store can choose a book to take home at no cost. This effort is aimed at promoting literacy, particularly among children who may not own books of their own.
Taskeen Ahmed from Awesome Books commented:
“We want every child to have the chance to experience the magic of reading. Partnering with Barnardo’s allows us to reach children who may not have their own books at home.”
This initiative is a key part of Awesome Books’ ongoing mission to donate 100,000 books to children who need them most.
Encouraging a Love of Books
Research by the National Literacy Trust indicates that children who own books are more likely to develop a lifelong love of reading and achieve higher academic performance. However, statistics show that one in eleven children in the UK does not have access to a book at home.
To ensure that children of all ages can find something suitable, the donated books cover a range of genres and reading levels. From picture books for early readers to chapter books for older children, the collection has been carefully selected to engage young minds and enhance literacy skills.
Barnardo’s spokesperson Sonja Green shared her thoughts on the initiative:
“Books open up new possibilities. For many children who visit our stores, this might be their first time owning a book. We are excited to collaborate with Awesome Books to make reading more accessible for children across the UK.”
To make the event engaging, Barnardo’s stores will create special book displays, inviting children to explore and find a book that excites them.
Promoting Literacy While Preventing Waste
Based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Awesome Books processes approximately 300,000 books daily, saving millions from landfill. Founded in 2002 by Taskeen Ahmed and his brother, the company has successfully rescued over 130 million books, giving them new life by passing them on to readers.
In times of financial hardship, books are often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. This initiative helps remove financial barriers by giving children access to free books and encouraging a lifelong love of reading.
As part of its commitment to literacy, Awesome Books frequently donates books to charities both within the UK and internationally. Their support extends to literacy projects in countries like Ghana, India, and Pakistan, as well as UK-based organisations such as The Children’s Book Project.
Taskeen Ahmed, CEO of Awesome Books, reiterated the organisation’s mission:
“This partnership with Barnardo’s aligns with our mission—to connect books with readers who will cherish them. Every book we distribute helps build a more literate society, where reading is accessible to all, regardless of background.”
Sonja Green from Barnardo’s added:
“At Barnardo’s, we see firsthand how access to books can positively impact children. This World Book Day, we are thrilled to offer something special to families visiting our stores—a free book that could spark creativity, boost confidence, and develop reading skills.
By extending World Book Day celebrations into the weekend, we ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, has an opportunity to take home a book and start a reading journey. We invite families to visit their local Barnardo’s store between 6th-8th March and help their children pick a book to treasure.”
How You Can Help
If you are sharing this story, please credit Awesome Books by linking to their website: https://www.awesomebooks.com/. Your support allows them to continue their book donation efforts and literacy programmes.
About Awesome Books
Awesome Books is a UK-based sustainable bookseller founded in 2003, focused on reducing waste and promoting literacy. Having rescued over 130 million books from landfills, the company ensures books find new homes instead of being discarded. Their ‘Buy One-Give One’ initiative also supports literacy programs worldwide, helping children gain access to books in various educational settings.
Sources
Children who own books are more likely to enjoy reading and perform better academically: National Literacy Trust: Reading
One in eleven children in the UK don’t have a book: Book ownership in 2024
