South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has launched the Mayor’s Little Big Book Club, a new initiative designed to help more children discover the joy of reading, with 4,000 free books to be given away to children across the region.
The club forms part of the Mayor’s wider South Yorkshire Reading Network ambition, a programme focused on creating memorable experiences around books, language, creativity and storytelling, particularly for children and families who are currently less likely to engage with reading.
The launch coincides with the South Yorkshire Festival of Reading, a summer-long celebration involving partners across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, which reached its first major flagship moment on Saturday.
Families attending enjoyed story times and reading trails, live music, crafts and creative workshops, and performances from street entertainers, alongside the giveaway of 4,000 free story sacks, each containing a book. In Rotherham, families met author and illustrator Lydia Monks at Clifton Park.
Rotherham Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Victoria Cusworth, said: “Reading with children from an early age is one of the most powerful ways we can support their learning, wellbeing and future success.” Mayor Coppard was similarly enthusiastic:
“If you were lucky enough to have books around you as a kid, you’ll probably remember the first one you fell in love with… I want every child growing up in South Yorkshire to have the chance to discover that joy for themselves.”
