We’re giving away £20,000 worth of books to primary schools in Suffolk – has your school signed up?

East Anglian Daily Times: Mendlesham Primary School are one of the schools taking part - is yours? Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNMendlesham Primary School are one of the schools taking part - is yours? Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Our brand new campaign is giving primary schools the chance to get their hands on a share of £20,00 worth of free books, with the aim of fostering a love of reading in youngsters.

The Books for Schools campaign comes hot on the heels of Sports for Schools, held earlier this year, where thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment was handed out to schools across the county.

A total of 35 primary schools in Suffolk have signed up to take part in the campaign so far – but we would love to see more join in.

Sarah Hodge, librarian at Hillside Primary School and Nursery in Ipswich, said she was thrilled the school was taking part, describing reading is the ‘cornerstone’ of a child’s life.

East Anglian Daily Times: We are gving away thousands of pounds worth of books as part of our new campaign Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNWe are gving away thousands of pounds worth of books as part of our new campaign Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“Reading, in particular reading for pleasure, is one of the most important gifts you can give a child,” she said.

“They are various studies that show a child that develops good reading skills and enjoys reading will do well in life.

“Reading is the absolute cornerstone of everything in a child’s life.”

Schools can start collecting tokens from Monday, October 1, which will be printed every day in the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star newspapers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Pupils at Mendlesham Primary School are ready to collect our Books for Schools tokens Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPupils at Mendlesham Primary School are ready to collect our Books for Schools tokens Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Watch out for Saturday’s edition of the EADT, where two tokens will be printed.

For every 1,000 tokens collected, a school will receive £100 worth of books.

East Anglian Daily Times: Has your school signed up the Books for Schools campaign Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHas your school signed up the Books for Schools campaign Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

At the end of the campaign, the four schools that collect the highest number of tokens per student will each receive £2,500 worth of books.

Mrs Hodge said there is nothing quite like curling up and getting lost in a good book.

East Anglian Daily Times: Children at Mendlesham Primary School reading their books Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNChildren at Mendlesham Primary School reading their books Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

She said: “You don’t know where a book is going or where it will take you. “You are never too old to enjoy a good picture book either.

“The idea of children sitting down with a grown up and reading together – you can’t beat that feeling.

“We are very lucky to have a library, many schools do not.

“The children spend a lot of time in here reading, and reading throughout the school.

“We are really excited to be taking part in the campaign.”

If your child’s school would like to sign up, ask them to send the school’s name, address, postcode, telephone number and the number of pupils to booksforschools@archant.co.uk or fill in the form above.