It’s World Book Day next month, and we’re celebrating by spreading some literary love as far as we can…
In celebration of World Book Day on April 23 and Earth Day on April 22, a Book-Tree Project will be run the whole month in the hope to distribute more children’s books in communities, as well as to support disadvantaged schools across the country.
Exclusive Books is launching a campaign, ‘Grow their Minds’ to drive the sales of children’s books in store with a portion of sales going to raise money for a book and tree donation for three identified disadvantaged schools: One each in Cape Town (Kronendal Primary School), Johannesburg (Cosmo City Secondary School) and KZN (Grandmore Primary School).
Trees and books – a new story under the shade of a new tree – what better way to uplift a school than with that?
In April Exclusive Books invites Fanatics members, customers and general public to buy any children’s books and Exclusive Books will donate a percentage to the Book-Tree Project. The more children’s books bought, the bigger the donation. The idea of the campaign is to raise enough money to cover the book planting project, as well as the tree planting event in each of the three chosen schools.
“We love the idea of collaborating with our community of booklovers to spread some reading sunshine to those who need it most,” says Batya Bricker, Exclusive Books’s GM books and brand.
They partnered with Food and Trees Africa, who regularly donate trees to schools. The three identified schools can fulfil both their criteria of “aftercare” for the trees, and the Exclusive Books criteria of “aftercare” for the books.
“Food and Trees for Africa is particularly excited about projects like these because they encourage learners’ interest in the environment and broaden their perspectives. In spaces that have traditionally been barren, planting trees is one of the most practical and impactful ways to increase carbon offsetting and create greenbelts which support children in their learning experiences. We look forward to seeing them read their new books under the shade of these trees in years to come,” says Susan Evans, the event and trees distribution manager.
Exclusive Books will offer a free plantable bookmark (produced by Living Seeds) for customers spending R500 or more, to plant in their garden to grow vegetables, over the weekend of April 22-23. There are three bookmark varieties – collect all and you have a mini veg garden!
The goal of this campaign is to get kids and young adults reading and, most importantly, hooked on reading for pleasure. This year, the National Literacy Trust in the UK reported in their annual survey that the number of children who say they enjoy reading is in serious decline, with reading for pleasure at its lowest level.
The survey also confirms that children participating in reading activities, such as World Book Day celebrations, enjoy reading more than their counterparts who don’t take part. Those who are the most engaged with literacy are also three times more likely to have higher levels of mental well-being than those least engaged, which, in our fraught age, is such an important marker. Building literacy skills for life is ever more essential during these times of economic hardship.
Only the best to offer in April
Paired with the Book Tree Project as the hero campaign, Exclusive Books Recommends for April includes not just the trendiest hottest new releases in adult books, but echoes the important focus on children’s books and celebrating the book, specifically for young readers.
For the younger readers, age 6-9, Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana’s book ‘Girls Don’t Do That!’ tells the story of her humble beginnings in Mohlakeng, the expectations placed on young girls in the community, and the defiant spirit of a future national treasure.
For slightly older readers, The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life is a winner. Illustrated with photographs by Thai Neave, The Playbook is intended to provide inspiration on the court of life. Each rule contains wisdom from inspiring athletes and role models such as Nelson Mandela, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Carli Lloyd, Steph Curry and Michelle Obama. Poet and educator Kwame Alexander also provides his own poetic and uplifting words, as he shares stories of overcoming obstacles and winning games in this motivational and inspirational book just right for graduates of any age and anyone needing a little encouragement.
For Young Adults, a feature must be Krystal Marquis’ The Davenports – a YA version of Julia Quinn’s The Bridgertons – the Jane Austen-like delve into glamorous gowns, balls, high society and hot romance. But in this 21st century take of 1910 Chicago, the cast is entirely black – inspired by the real-life Patterson dynasty, and ‘happily ever after’ looks very different for the Davenport sisters and brother. Themes of family expectation, the veneer of wealth and the double standards of the elite are powerful and memorable themes.
Fanatics members earn a whopping 200 bonus points on their Exclusive Books Recommends titles from the list during April. For more Exclusive Books Recommends, click here.
To add to the World Book Day festivities, Exclusive Books will be hosting over 20 children’s events during April.
Follow Exclusive Books on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or visit their website for more information.
