To celebrate the launch of the National Literacy Trust’s new Tell Me a Story campaign, Starbucks is giving its Starbucks Card customers the opportunity to win one of ten prizes of a £1000 book hamper for their local primary school, and a £150 book voucher for their family every time they use their pre-pay card in a Starbucks store between the 1 and 7 June.*
Additionally, as an added treat, regular Starbucks customers across the UK will also have the opportunity to take home one of two exclusive mini books from Walker Books.
The Tell Me a Story campaign aims to raise awareness that every child has the right to share stories and to develop the skills they need for their future. To launch the campaign, the National Literacy Trust has teamed up with National Family Week and they are calling on everyone to spend 10 minutes reading with the children in their life during Family Week Story Time on 2 June. In 2010, the National Literacy Trust is aiming to raise £500,000 to support the literacy of children in disadvantaged communities.
Starbucks has worked in partnership with the National Literacy Trust since 2001 with the aim of making a difference to children’s lives, and the book hampers will help encourage children to read for pleasure at schools up and down the country.
Director of the National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas says:
“Our research shows that children who live in a home that encourages reading and is filled with books are more likely to have above average reading levels. So that’s why we have teamed up with Starbucks and Walker Books to call on everyone to support our Tell Me a Story campaign by pledging to share a story for 10 minutes with the children in their life this National Family Week.
“Starbucks has worked with us for many years to support the literacy of children in disadvantaged communities. By donating £10,000 worth of book hampers to primary schools, Starbucks is helping to get books into the hands of children across the UK. We hope that customers will enjoy the mini books from Walker Books and be inspired to support our campaign.”
Amanda Royston, head of marketing at Starbucks UK & Ireland, says:
“A big part of what we do as a company is to support the communities we’re a part of, and this includes promoting the value of reading from a young age. We’re immensely proud to be supporting the National Literacy Trust’s Tell Me a Story campaign with the gift of books for our customers who in turn can help make a difference to children in their communities.”
Jane Harris, Sales Director at Walker Books says:
“As long-term supporters of the National Literacy Trust and Starbucks, we are thrilled to be part of the Tell Me a Story campaign. Both of the stories chosen represent some of the best writing talent around. With Lucy Cousin's bestselling preschool character Maisy, and the multi-award winning young adult author Patrick Ness there’s something here for both toddlers and adults.
“2010 sees Walker celebrating 30 years of publishing the best children's books, and we're delighted to include the Tell Me a Story campaign in our year-long celebration of the power and crucial importance of reading.”
The book extracts Starbucks customers can enjoy are:
·For younger children - Maisy Makes Gingerbread by Lucy Cousins – Maisy mouse is one of the best-loved children’s book characters of all-time. Join Maisy in her kitchen as she makes gingerbread for tea. For age 3+
·For older teens and adults, Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness - the final thrilling instalment in the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy is a powerful novel about power, survival and the devastating realities of war. For age 14+
To find out more and get involved with the National Literacy Trust’s Tell Me a Story campaign visit their website here.