Anna Neuff
11th September 2025
A final lick of paint for our 40 beautiful Book Huts this week in readiness for their new role as a focal point not only for children to choose books to take home, but also for the same children to bring in and donate any books they want to pass on.
Each hut will be based for the 2025-2026 year in partner schools that have had our support for 3 years or more, where every child has already taken home 20+ books of their own. We’ll continue to donate 100s of new and pre-loved books to supplement children’s bookshelves but the huts now have an additional role: somewhere where children can also drop off the books they themselves have grown out of.
Work with The Reading Agency a number of years ago inspired our new approach. Their theory of change for a developing reader acknowledged the impact on a child’s identity of being able to make book recommendations to a friend, to loan a book they love or pass a book on. Children that have previously been gifted books via Children’s Book Project and other channels now have the chance to enjoy sending their own books on new adventures.
We’re excited to hear about the impact of these 40 green Book ‘Swap’ Huts in our partner schools and welcome input from anyone around how we can make their presence as motivating and engaging as possible.
