Hosted by the national literacy charity the Children’s Book Project, every child from Reception to Year 6 was given the opportunity to visit the pop-up bookshop and take home two free books of their own, encouraging a love of reading. 

The Children’s Book Project, which seeks to tackle book poverty, donates hundreds of surplus new and pre-loved books to children that have very few books of their own. Co-op Academy Beckfield’s focus on creating engaged readers made them the ideal hosts for such this special event, which recreated an immersive bookshop experience using hundreds of carefully chosen books donated by the charity plus posters, bunting, bookmarks and stickers to further capture imaginations.

Headteacher of Co-op Academy Beckfield, Caroline Watkiss, said: “At Beckfield, we make it our mission for all children to leave us being fluent, confident readers. 

“Working with the Children’s Book Project gives us the chance to connect children with books they can choose for themselves and keep; books they can share and recommend with others; books they can love.

“The impact of this can be truly transformative, especially when this might be a child’s first experience of owning a book. To see the children’s faces light up when they see what’s on offer for them at the Pop-Up Bookshop is wonderful,”

Rachel Reeves MP, said: “It was fantastic to visit Co-op Academy Beckfield in Tyersal and attend the Pop-Up Bookshop by the Children’s Book Project. It was great to speak to so many enthusiastic young readers and see first-hand the brilliant work of the Children’s Book Project!”, 

Children’s Book Project Founder and CEO, Liberty Venn, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Co-op Academy Beckfield was able to host such a celebratory Pop-Up Bookshop this week and that Rachel Reeves MP was able to visit and see first-hand the powerful impact of our charity’s core model, which makes use of surplus children’s books to change futures. We are looking forward to building partnerships across the region and rolling this project out across many more schools.”