Free books giveaway to boost children's reading
BBCThousands of free books will be given away this weekend to encourage more children to read.
Volunteers in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield will hand out 4,000 books on Saturday 22 August as part of the Festival of Reading.
It comes as research from The National Literacy Trust found that Yorkshire and the Humber had one of the lowest percentages of book ownership in the UK, with only 85.3% of respondents saying they had a book of their own at home.
Mayor Oliver Coppard said that he wants "every kid in our region to know that books, stories and reading are for them".
The figures for Yorkshire and the Humber put the county well below areas like London when it comes to children owning their own books.
Jason Vit, assistant director of place-based learning at the National Literacy Trust, said: "We know that too many children don't have books at home.
"If you don't have a book at home, it's much harder to read regularly.
"But we know that children who enjoy reading more, do it more, and have other benefits from reading, including empathy and wellbeing."
Despite lower levels of book ownership, the Trust's latest research showed that levels of reading enjoyment have increased in Yorkshire and the Humber since 2025, the first rise in five years.
More than a third of children and young people aged 8-18 said that they enjoy reading in their free time and one in five said they read daily.
Vit said that more than 50,000 volunteers are supporting reading and literacy events in their communities as part of the National Year of Reading in 2026.
"It really is about creating opportunities for children, and adults, to discover that love of reading.
"If you've got children in your life, you being a role model and being positive about reading is the best possible message that you can communicate."
The 4,000 books have been provided by publishers and businesses, and will be available at the following events:-
- Barnsley: The Seam, Yorkshire Roses and Digital Media Centre, 10:00 to 15:00 BST
- Doncaster: Sir Nigel Gresley Square, 10:00 to 16:00 BST (including a quieter hour from 10:00 -11:00 for families who prefer a more relaxed session)
- Rotherham: Clifton Park, 11:00 to 14:00 BST
- Sheffield: Hillsborough Park, 10:00 to 14:00 BST
The events include story times, reading trails and creative workshops, alongside a book giveaway so that children can take home a story of their own.
The mayor has also launched the Little Big Book Club, to create more opportunities for children to read.
"If you were lucky enough to have books around you as a kid, you'll probably remember the first one you fell in love with," said Coppard.
"Most of us can remember it. We can remember the characters. We can remember where we read it.
"I want every child growing up in South Yorkshire to have the chance to discover that joy for themselves."
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North