Welsh Government announces £5m investment in reading engagement and book-gifting for children and young people across Wales

The Books Council of Wales warmly welcomes the announcement of the significant additional funding from Welsh Government which will deliver the #SchoolsLoveReading book-gifting campaign starting in spring 2022. As part of this multi-million-pound investment in reading engagement, a selection of 50 books will be sent to every state school in Wales, in addition to an individual book for every pupil to keep. The programme will mean that learners across Wales have equal access to a diverse range of appealing and quality literature, in Welsh and English, that has been specially selected for children and young people.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: “This significant investment by Welsh Government underlines the importance of reading engagement in childhood, and we know that a habit of reading is one of the greatest determining factors in terms of educational attainment. We are delighted to support Welsh Government’s book-gifting campaigns as they make such a difference to schools and pupils across Wales, and this additional funding means that we can deliver more books to more pupils and spark a love of reading that they will benefit from for life.

Our newly published 5-year strategy sets out the Books Council’s vision for Wales as a Reading Nation and underlines our own commitment to increasing reading engagement and to expanding universal book-gifting programmes. I’m delighted that Welsh Government have recognised the importance of this area of work and we’re looking forward to working in partnership with them to support this exciting and ambitious programme.”

In his announcement of the extra funding, Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: “Speaking, listening and reading skills play a fundamental part in our everyday lives. If we want to close the attainment gap between pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers, then improving reading skills is vital.

“We must ignite a passion for reading in children at a young age so that we can give them the habits and skills they’ll need later in life.

“Reading is essential in making sure learners have every opportunity to access the full breadth of the new Curriculum for Wales, the aims of which are underpinned by improved literacy and oracy among younger learners.”

The Minister added: “I am delighted that I am able to demonstrate the life-changing importance of books, reading and oracy by providing a book for every child and young person in Wales – as well as funding for more books in schools and families.”

Our Story – publishing voices today

To mark our 60^th anniversary, two short films have been commissioned, Our Story – publishing voices today and Ein Stori – Lleisiau cyhoeddi heddiw, celebrating the publishing industry in Wales.

Through the voices of Richard Davies, Jannat Ahmed, Lynda Tunnicliffe and others, Our Story – publishing voices today explores the contribution of the Books Council of Wales over the past 60 years and looks forward towards future challenges and opportunities.

Watch Ein Stori – lleisiau cyhoeddi heddiw, our Welsh-language film, here.

Wales: A Reading Nation – Launching the Books Council of Wales’s 5-year Strategic Plan

For 60 years the Books Council of Wales has advanced its purpose to support the publishing industry in Wales and to promote reading for pleasure.

As we mark our anniversary, we are proud to share our new strategy that sets out our ambitions and vision for the next 5 years.

It outlines how we will progress with our mission to support the publishing industry and promote reading in the context of a Covid recovery, contributing to the Welsh Government’s Programme of Government and Well-being Statements and supporting the industry to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Read our strategy HERE

Two Rivers from a Common Spring: The Books Council of Wales at 60 published today

Two Rivers from a Common Spring: The Books Council of Wales at 60 is published today to mark the organisation’s anniversary.

The beautiful volume tells the story of the Books Council over the last 60 years, from its origins in the 1960s to the present day.

The volume is edited by Gwen Davies, with original linocuts by artist Molly Brown. It is presented in memory of Alun Creunant, the first Director of the Books Council of Wales.

There are contributions from a variety of voices within the publishing industry, including Professor M. Wynn Thomas, Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, publisher Richard Davies, bookseller Eirian James, and writer and poet Hanan Issa.

The beautiful hardback volume is now available from your local bookshop.

Here’s a taste of a chapter by Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales.

https://www.flipsnack.com/cyngorllyfraucymru/two-rivers-from-a-common-spring.html

Hooked on books… Books Council of Wales turns 60

The Books Council of Wales celebrates 60 years of supporting Wales’s publishing industry and celebrating reading with a week of activities from 1–5 November 2021.

From looking back to its origins as a charity set up to promote the Welsh publishing industry in 1961, to announcing its vision for the future with the launch of its new 5-year Strategic Plan, Wales: A Reading Nation, the Council will be exploring all aspects of the sector in Wales during a whole week of celebration.

The creative, vibrant and exciting world of publishing in Wales will be uncovered through an anniversary book, films of the publishing industry at work, celebrating excellence with the Mary Vaughan Jones Award and reminiscing about brilliant books, the Sbondonics reading club and 60 years of celebrating reading.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: “I am honoured and delighted to be leading this organisation during this milestone celebration, as we navigate the uncharted territory of Covid recovery and look forward to the next five years. These last 18 months have highlighted the immense contribution books make to our well-being and mental health. A published book is always the result of the creative collaboration of the many different people who make up the sector, which includes booksellers, and we will continue to support the industry here in Wales to ensure that the many stories that reflect our country will continue to be told.”

A full week of activity is planned . . .

Monday 1 November – Happy Birthday!

Launch of 60th anniversary book – Two Rivers from a Common Spring
The week begins with the publication of a brand-new volume of essays to celebrate the anniversary. Two Rivers from a Common Spring tells the story of the Books Council, from its foundation in the 1960s to today. Edited by Gwen Davies and with brand-new illustrations by printmaker Molly Brown, the book charts the legacy and work of the Council through contributions by Professor M. Wynn Thomas and other figures from the sector. A companion volume, O Hedyn i Ddalen, is available in Welsh.

Tuesday 2 November – Celebrating excellence

Menna Lloyd Williams wins the Mary Vaughan Jones Award
Menna Lloyd Williams is the recipient of the 2021 Mary Vaughan Jones Lifetime Achievement Award. A digital event to celebrate Menna Lloyd Williams’ contribution to the field of children’s books in Wales will be held on the Books Council’s channel #carudarllen AM amam.cymru/carudarllen at 7pm on Tuesday, 2 November as part of the week’s celebrations.

Wednesday 3 November – looking to the future

Wales: A Reading Nation. Launching the Books Council of Wales’s 5-year Strategic Plan
For 60 years the Books Council of Wales has advanced its purpose to support the publishing industry in Wales and to promote reading for pleasure.

As it publishes its new strategy the Council sets out its ambitions and vision for the next 5 years. It outlines how it will progress with its mission to support the publishing industry and promote reading in the context of a Covid recovery, contributing to Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and Well-being Statement, and supporting the industry to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Thursday 4 November – a nostalgic look back

Celebrating 60 years of books, stories – and Sbondonics!
The Books Council team will browse the archive and share images and memories of the last 60 years on their social accounts @Books_Wales (Twitter) and Llyfr Da / Fab Books (Facebook / Instagram). From the Distribution Centre vans to former Tir na n-Og Award winners and the Sbondonics Book Club, they’ll share fond memories of the Books Council’s activity over the last 60 years.

Friday 5 November – the industry at work

Our Story – publishing voices today
The week ends with the sharing of two short films (10 mins) that have been commissioned especially for the anniversary: Our Story – publishing voices today and Ein Stori – lleisiau cyhoeddi heddiw. They are a showcase for the publishing industry and the world of books in Wales. Through the voices of Lynda Tunnicliffe, Jannat Ahmed, Alex Wharton and others, the films explore the role and contribution of the Books Council to the field of publishing in Wales and its ongoing support as this important creative industry looks towards the future.