About our campaign

'One refugee family were so delighted. They had nothing, but this has meant their boys had books' – Learning professional

In 2021, Scottish Book Trust surveyed education and early years practitioners. Their responses underlined the need for books at home, with over two thirds stating some children they work with only own books gifted to them by Scottish Book Trust. Over 90% of respondents also stated that some pupils had lost reading skill and vocabulary due to lockdown.

Books help families bond, bring joy and comfort, give children a sense of escapism and, importantly, improve their mental health and wellbeing. In 2021, our research revealed that 85% of parents from Scotland's most deprived areas said that reading helps them bond with their child and that reading makes their children happy, while 95% of parents from all areas in Scotland said they think it is important for children to own their own books.

'Books always make a difference, they calm him down when he gets frustrated and he likes to think he can read, holding the book so I could see the story too' – Parent

As the cost-of-living crisis escalates, more children and families will go without, and they need our support. That's why we are undertaking a fundraising campaign to ensure everyone in Scotland has equal access to books.

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Where does my donation go?

All funds raised will enable Scottish Book Trust to deliver more life-changing work. In addition to the funding we receive from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, we need the support of trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individuals. Every donation will make a difference to children and adults in Scotland. Here's what your support can do:

• £10 could gift a tactile book to a child with additional support needs, helping all children access books
• £20 could make it possible for a child in a disadvantaged community to access the life-changing magic of live author events
• £50 could provide a set of books to a care home, community setting, hospital or prison to ensure everyone can enjoy reading for Book Week Scotland
• £120 could create a specialised kit for families who need the most support to share stories, songs and rhymes with their children
• £300 could give a family member the tools they need to share the joy of books with a loved one living with dementia, helping them connect and relax
• £500 could make an author event possible for remote or disadvantaged communities across Scotland

You understand the huge difference having books makes to children every day in so many ways. Will you donate today and give the life-changing magic of books to a child like Callum?

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