Press Release 10th August 2020
Change the Story
Rochelle Humes
Rochelle Humes campaign has hit its target with support from KPMG – 10,000 inclusive children’s books to be delivered to schools and nurseries.
Great news – Little Box of Books has hit its £55,000 Crowdfunder total.
As a result, this will enable the inclusive children’s book company to deliver 10,000 representative books to schools and nurseries in the next academic year.
The Change the Story campaign, fronted by Rochelle Humes, will deliver books to the most ethnically diverse and least ethnically diverse parts of the UK.
(You can get Rochelle Humes’ book, the Mega Magical Teacher Swap, here.)
The purpose of this campaign is to diversify kids’ bookshelves at a rapid rate.
But why is this important?
Primarily, it is vital that more children see themselves in the books they read. Little Box of Books knows that this will enable kids to recognise and realise their potential.
Sometimes you have to see something (or read about it) in order to believe that it is possible.
Diverse books give kids the opportunity to picture themselves as a doctor, a detective, a bus-driver.
Above all, our mission is for all children learn to understand, expect, and celebrate diversity.
Back to the Campaign…
Brilliantly, KPMG UK has provided a donation to the campaign. Consequently, their support will mean 4,400 inclusive children’s books are delivered to early years settings all over the UK.
To that end, their donation will accelerate Little Box of Books’ work in diversifying school and nursery bookshelves all of the UK.
Lynsey Pollard from Little Box of Books says,
“We are so grateful to every single person that has supported Little Box of Books to raise this money, helping us to transform school and nursery libraries all over the UK. We are delighted to be working with KPMG UK to reach thousands of children in early years settings. This will help thousands of children to expect diversity in the books they read from an early age.”
The commitment is part of KPMG’s Reading the Future campaign which celebrates the firm’s 150th anniversary. Moreover, it marks their longstanding commitment to transforming disadvantaged communities and promoting equality. This is achieved through support for early years development, literacy, education and skills.
Rachel Hopcroft, Head of Corporate Affairs at KPMG says,
“We are delighted to be supporting Little Box of Books’ inclusive children’s books campaign and working with them to diversify the bookshelves in early years settings across the country. We know the importance of all children being able to see themselves in the books they read, and these libraries will provide teachers with the resources they need to bring these books to life for their pupils.”
Change the Story is also supported by publishing partners including Walker Books, Barefoot Books and Bonnier books. They have all donated books in support of the campaign.
The campaign garnered online support from celebrities including Giovanna Fletcher, Emma Willis, Stacey Solomon and Fearne Cotton. Fantastically, more than 1000 people backed the campaign.
Little Box of Books mission is for every school and early years setting to have a diverse bookshelf. They crowdfunding page will stay open for future fundraising opportunities and last minute donations.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/changethestory
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Little Box of Books supplies families and schools with books that better reflect the UK population from their website www.littleboxofbooks.co.uk
They source books from top publishers and authors that show diversity in race, culture, family set up and socioeconomic background. In addition, they choose books that disrupt gender and disability stereotypes.
Little Box of Books champions black authors and illustrators and authors and illustrators of colour in the books they choose and seek out. Crucially, they are concerned with providing children’s books that feature authentic and genuine representation.
Publishers wishing to support the Change the Story campaign can email [email protected]
For last minute donations and financial support for Change the Story please head to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/changethestory
KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operate from 21 offices across the UK. So forth, they have approximately 17,600 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.40 billion in the year ended 30 September 2019. Furthermore, KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, Legal and Advisory services. It operates in 154 countries and has 200,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
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