I attended the launch of Reading Force Little Ones at the Aldershot Forces base on October 22nd, which proved to be great success. I really enjoyed being a part of such a dynamic charity event. Professor Alison Baverstock, Founder of the charity worked alongside as puppeteer while I read from some of my books including, THE NOISY JUNGLE, RUBY’S SCHOOL WALK and CLICK CLACK, CROCODILE’S BACK, to pre-school children. Barefoot Books and Little Tiger Press generously donated books for the event and Reading Force purchased further copies to give to Service families both home and away to share. Every child was given a special Reading Force scrapbook too.
Reading Force is an initiative that helps families separated on duty both home and away to connect via book sharing. Through books, families are able to engage in stories and experiences such as Reading Force events as well as enjoying the known benefits reading brings, in particular building reading confidence.
Reading Force is going from strength to strength within the military community. The charity is becoming a powerful tool for insuring families stay close and connected, enjoying time together through the love of books. Without the knowledge of how separation affects families, which Alison and her core team, Elaine Boorman and Hattie Gordon possess, this amazing initiative would never have got off the ground.