Why reading is so important for children
Reading is one of the indicators of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.
Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. You can follow World Book Day they have lots of resources and ideas for use at school and home:
For World Book Day this year we have been thinking about the benefits of books. Books open our imagination and allow us to travel to another world as well as providing education, which in turn provides children with choices on how they wish to live their lives.
During Covid-19 access to books have been more important than ever to keep everyone learning and to keep some of us company. Although some people have reported they have found it difficult to read a book during this time.
Ideas for World Book Day
We have pulled together a few ideas for World Book Day to help you explore and ramp up your creativity and imagination.
• Try a book in another language or dialect. World Book Day have their first Welsh language title in this year’s £1 book offerings.
• Check out out your local library as they often have on-line events and you can reserve books on-line until the time comes when you can visit and choose your own books in person.
• Have a look at our ‘Home Learning Resources 2021’ resource pack on our website. On page 18 you will find out how to access lots of free books online. https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/resources
• Get involved with the Open Library, the aim is to create a page for every book ever published to create an online library, like Wikipedia for books.
Book Clubs
Many people report that belonging to a book club really motivates them to read regularly as well as being able to connect with people all over the world. Here’s a few that we have been exploring.
• Read quietly, with others online in over 100 cities. Follow the Facebook group for author events and you might even be encouraged to start your own local book club. It’s free too.
• A group for readers of translated fiction. Fortnightly on-line calls with opportunities to meet the authors and translators. They only publish books that can be translated in 200 pages and takes the same time to read as it takes to watch a film.
• Members can choose 2 books each month which are based on the theme of strong women. On-line discussion is available each month.
• Sign up to receive a mystery book through the post each month on a topical theme, which members choose through voting. There are on-line discussions groups and monthly meet-ups.
• A book club for non-fiction books that meets twice monthly and offers meet-ups with authors and community connections.
• You can support the provision of books globally by signing up to the reverse book club.
Independent Book Shops
We have also been enjoying browsing some independent book shops. Did you know that some of the online book conglomerates use algorithms to suggest books and there are loads of wonderful books out there but they might never get suggested in the mainstream. We are missing out on some wonderful books as we are discouraged from exploring by the “suggested for you” algorithms.
Here is our pick of independent book shops that you might like to try:
Useful Resources
You can find great resources on these websites:
Thank you, we hope you have enjoyed this post and have found some useful idea and resources to further your enjoyment of books.
Steve Sinnott Foundation • March 2, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
