- The World of Stories library transformation programme from Puffin and the National Literacy Trust continues to grow with an expanded book donation from 29 publisher partners, along with Yoto audiobook players, to inspire a new generation of readers
- The programme is part of the Libraries for Primaries campaign, a joint initiative from Penguin and the National Literacy Trust, that has, so far transformed 1,500 primary school libraries
Fifty new primary schools—25 in Bradford and 25 in County Durham—have received a transformative book donation as part of the 2024/25 cohort of World of Stories, thanks to a second round of funding from Arts Council England. The programme, a joint initiative from Penguin and the National Literacy Trust, aims to reinvigorate school libraries and promote reading for pleasure in communities where literacy challenges are most acute.
All participating schools receive books from 29 publisher partners, including Puffin, Hachette, HarperCollins, Pan Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster. Each school has received 500 titles carefully selected to reflect diverse voices, classic literature, and contemporary stories that engage young readers. Participating teachers also receive specialist training on how to embed a culture of reading for pleasure and a package of furniture to furnish their library spaces.
To further enhance accessibility and engagement, the donation includes a Yoto audiobook player and a library of cards. Recent research [1] from the National Literacy Trust highlights that as reading enjoyment levels hit an all-time low, listening to audiobooks and podcasts offers a vital opportunity to boost learning, wellbeing, and reading engagement.
The expansion of World of Stories aligns with the broader Libraries for Primaries campaign, a nationwide initiative led by the National Literacy Trust and Penguin to address the stark reality that 1 in 7 (14%) state primary schools in the UK lack a dedicated reading space. Libraries for Primaries has been shown to have a transformative impact on teachers and pupils alike, with 100% of practitioners feeling confident in promoting reading for pleasure through their school library after taking part in the programme, and 97.6% of children saying they enjoyed visiting the library a year after improvements were made.
By the end of this academic year, Libraries for Primaries will have transformed a total of 1,500 primary school libraries meaning:
- 628,000 books will have been distributed to primary schools
- 3,000 teachers and support staff will have been trained in fostering reading for pleasure
- Half a million children will have gain access to better reading opportunities, opening doors to improved educational outcomes and lifelong literacy.
Francesca Dow, Managing Director, Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “Puffin has been inspiring and shaping children’s reading for 85 years and we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure every child has access to stories that ignite their passion for reading. The World of Stories programme has proven to be a truly transformative initiative for schools in some of the most underserved communities, and, with reading for pleasure shown to be in decline, we are committed to reaching even more children in the years to come. We are thrilled that our titles continue to form a key part of the book donation to schools, providing children with access to a wide variety of books that spark their imaginations, to help build tomorrow’s generation of readers.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO at The National Literacy Trust, said: “We know that reading for enjoyment levels are at an all-time low – just 1 in 3 children and young people say they enjoy reading, so we are delighted to be working with Puffin and Arts Council England, and bringing the World of Stories programme to 50 primary schools across Bradford and Durham this year. Through the Libraries for Primaries campaign, we will ensure that every primary school in the UK has a library, by 2028.”
Hayley Dickinson, teacher at All Saints Church of English Primary School in Bradford, said: “The World of Stories programme has allowed our children to become aware of a range of different texts that they had not had access to previously. Since completing the programme, our children have gained confidence in identifying stories they enjoy and requesting authors or texts they want to see in our libraries. We have developed our school’s love of reading through new initiatives such as parental volunteers, books for breakfast and a year 6 book club which is held termly with our academy schools.”
The impact of this work has been widely recognised, with Libraries for Primaries winning Bronze in the BIG Thinking category at the Drum Social Purpose Awards (2024).
For more information on Libraries for Primaries, please visit:
