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Isle Of Wight Story Festival Donates Books To Local Schools

Sue Bailey donating books to Barton Primary School

Organisers of the Isle of Wight Story Festival have been visiting Island primary schools over the past few weeks, in a covid-safe way, donating books to school libraries.

All the books donated featured at this year’s IW Story Festival, which took place online during February half term.

The festival attracted 2,800 views, not just from the Island but from as far afield as Glasgow, Trinidad, the Netherlands and America.


Peta Rainford donating books to St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School

“Although our February festival is very much our focus, we are keen to get involved in activities throughout the year and make the most of opportunities to share stories and raise awareness of the festival,” said Story Festival director, Elspeth Giddens.

“We are particularly keen to forge relationships with local schools and plan to introduce a Schools’ Programme as part of next year’s festival.”


Elspeth Giddens donating books to Nine Acres Primary School

“It was great fun going into schools after such a long break and introducing the children to these wonderful books,” added storyteller and fellow organiser Sue Bailey.

The donation includes books by the IW Story Festival’s Patron, Nicholas Allen; former CBeebies presenter and disability rights activist, Cerrie Burnell; award-winning authors Tom Palmer and the Island’s own Kieran Larwood; debut children’s novelist Eve McDonnell; author and NHS doctor Roopa Farooki and local author Peta Rainford, all of whom appeared at this year’s festival.


Sue Bailey donating books to Hunnyhill Primary

If you missed the IW Story Festival this year, you can still catch some of the sessions on the festival’s YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQgt2ONjVjb4GSKqfgVSKA

More information about the Isle of Wight Story Festival is available at www.iwstoryfestival.com.

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