Berkshire reading charity ABC to Read launched a competition to encourage local youngsters to engage with climate change while inspiring and challenging their inner literary critic. The competition was open to all children and primary schools across Berkshire. Children were invited to read a book about climate change and create a review to tell others why they should read it too.

Marcia Rowlinson, ABC to Read CEO, said:

We had an overwhelming response to our competition and the children clearly learned about critical issues that are relevant to them. We had a tough decision in selecting winners and runners up. We know that many of the children and the schools enjoyed getting involved with the opportunity of being able to critique and discuss books.

Children sent in a mix of video recordings, collages, and written reports on books about forests, human activity, and many other wonderful books on the topic that they had read.

Prizes include video chats and visits with the wonderful, local poet AF Harrold, book vouchers courtesy of Fourbears Bookshop in Caversham for both children and schools, and a climate change themed book and certificates from ABC to read.

The winners were:

• Maja from Curridge Primary School, Thatcham for being fully on topic, with thoughtful text and great drawings
• Miley from Lynch Hill Primary School Academy, Slough  who shared some very useful messages that she had taken away from the book and the anagram was creative and motivational

Runners up

• Porsha from Francis Baily Primary, Thatcham who had clearly learned from the book and has been inspired to help save wildlife
• Eton Porny First School, Windsor with a colourful entry sharing some key facts and urging the reader to stop throwing plastic in the sea

Congratulations to all children, volunteers and schools that entered.  Highly commended certificates will also be awarded.

Do look out for future competitions as we plan to run another later in the year and will be including secondary schools along with primary to help encourage more children with reading!

About ABC to Read

ABC to read trains and supports volunteers in primary schools across Berkshire, helping hundreds of children each year to enjoy reading and gain an essential skill for life. The charity has maintained around 120 volunteers working with 500 children each week to improve their reading skills. Volunteers have continued helping children throughout the pandemic virtually and face to face.  The children are chosen by the schools as those in most need of reading support.  The volunteers are selected by the charity and are DBS checked, trained, and supported. ABC to Read are currently campaigning to increase awareness of their work to reach more Berkshire children. More information can be found at www.abctoread.org.uk.