Pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 at Grange Primary School in Harrow celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 5 March with a special visit from author Humza Arshad (Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties,published by Puffin), and a bundle of new books for their school library, donated by Morrisons Harrow.
Humza gave an exciting assembly to pupils, telling them all about how important it is to read and explore different stories through reading and writing, as well as funny stories from his own experiences and family. He then met a small group of pupils from each of the year groups who discussed what kind of books they would be interested in writing if they were to be an author.
The books were gifted to the school thanks to a partnership between the Morrisons Foundation and the National Literacy Trust. Working together, the charities aim to help 125,000 children from local communities across the UK discover a love of reading this World Book Day.
Every Morrisons store in the UK will donate a bundle of 15 books to a local primary school this week. Every book bundle includes a collection of colourful, exciting and engaging books published by Penguin Random House, including Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties by Humza Arshad and Henry White, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff.
The books were presented to pupils by Humza Arshad, Debbie Clarke from the Morrisons store in Harrow and Rochelle Levine-Ajiouse from the Morrisons store in Acton. Debbie Clarke, Community Champion at the local Morrisons store in Harrow, said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to donate these new books to a local school. There’s a great selection of books, so every pupil will be able to find a story they will enjoy.”
Ronan Rasheed, Assistant Head and English Lead at Grange Primary School, said: “Welcoming a successful author like Humza to Grange Primary has inspired so many children and adults to enjoy books and writing. He is clearly passionate about literature and his presentation and funny approach to writing has made many of our children want to pick up a new book this World Book Day!”
Humza Arshad said: “It’s been brilliant to celebrate World Book Day with Grange Primary School. The kids were full of energy and it was great fun! Reading is so important and it’s great to have a day where we all get to shout about the magic of stories. A lot of the pupils had already read or knew about Little Badman and it’s a great feeling to know that children and young people are being encouraged to read.”
Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust said: “We are thrilled to be working with Morrisons to bring the gift of reading to 125,000 children across the UK by getting brand new books into primary schools. School budgets are stretched, many school libraries are struggling and 1 in 11 disadvantaged children don’t have a single book of their own at home; so it has never been more important to get books into the schools that need them most.
“When children discover a love of reading, they do better at school and later in life, so we must do everything we can to inspire children to fall in love with reading for a lifetime.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching over £29 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties, written by Humza Arshad and Henry White, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff, is published by Puffin and available to buy in paperback, ebook and audiobook.
(Featured image: Author Humza Arshad with pupils from Grange Primary School and books donated by Morrisons. Photo credit: Chris O’Donovan Photography)
