In partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, one thousand children in hospital over Christmas will receive a gift-wrapped special edition of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo’s Child.
The picture book has been distributed across 31 children’s wards in hospitals across England and Wales this week, along with a box of Gruffalo’s Child activity sets.
The donations from Macmillan Children’s Books and charity Read for Good mark 20 years since Donaldson and Scheffler’s follow up to The Gruffalo was published.
The 1,000 donated copies of the new edition of The Gruffalo’s Child have all been individually gift-wrapped by volunteers at Pan Macmillan, who willingly gave up their free time for this heart-warming campaign. The books are accompanied by Festive Activity Packs, containing colouring sheets and puzzles, and codes to access a draw-along video from Axel Scheffler. There is the opportunity to listen to the audio book for free and production company Magic Light Pictures is providing a special link for children to watch the animated The Gruffalo’s Child film. Thanks also go to companies Stickerscape, who have provided welcoming Gruffalo window stickers to brighten up the hospital wards, and Danilo, who donated the Gruffalo character wrapping paper.
The hospital staff in each hospital also receive a special Christmas card to thank them for everything they do, written by Axel Scheffler and complete with a hand drawn festive Mouse or Gruffalo image.
Children in schools across the UK have also had some of the Gruffalo magic, with special Readathon sponsor cards and bookmarks featuring a colour-in scene from The Gruffalo’s Child, and the chance to win a wonderful selection of picture books donated by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Julia Donaldson said: “I have been a patron for Read for Good for many years and support the important work they do with children promoting the fun and enjoyment that can be found in books. They are building readers at the same time as raising funds for children and families who need help. I am really pleased that we are working with them to mark The Gruffalo’s Child’s 20th anniversary, and I hope that this campaign will help to improve many children’s experience in hospitals at this time of year.”
Axel Scheffler said: “I am very pleased that we are working with Read for Good again. It is really important that children have access to books, particularly in hospital when they are away from family and friends. I hope that The Gruffalo’s Child story, the animation and all the activities will be fun, will brighten their days and help them to feel much better.”
Justine Daniels, CEO of Read for Good, said: “The generous donation from Macmillan Children’s Books of The Gruffalo’s Child books and resources, along with the special messages from Julia and Axel, will be a welcome way to bring festive cheer to hundreds of children in hospital this Christmas. We know that children in hospital will love unwrapping their gifts and sharing the book and activities with their families, at a time when a comforting story goes a really long way.”
Alyx Price, director of strategic partnerships and stakeholder relations at Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “Being in hospital is a worrying time for children and their families and we know that books and stories bring comfort, distraction and reassurance. We hope that The Gruffalo’s Child and the other activities will help these young patients through their difficult times. Read for Good is a long-standing charity partner for us and it has been great to work together on this anniversary moment for one of the nation’s favourite stories. With Pan Macmillan colleagues happily joining in and other Gruffalo stakeholders keen to be involved too, it’s been a full team effort for a great cause.”
A charity book sale has also been held at Pan Macmillan to raise funds for Read for Good in the run up Christmas, helping us to reach even more seriously ill children in hospital with the magic of books and stories.
Thank you Macmillan Children’s Books and Pan Macmillan – your support means the world to us!
