Hythe Books for Change: local women donate books to Hythe Primary Schools

Three local residents – Aimée Margott, Lianne Sandford and Laura Taylor felt moved to do something practical to address issues of inequality and discrimination particularly in relation to children. They decided the power of books was one way to help and set up the Hythe Books for Change project in July 2020. The team have been fundraising to donate a range of diverse and inclusive books to local schools via a crowdfunding page, a raffle and an application to the town council for funding. They successfully raised over £2000 with the support of local donors and this week donated 50 books to each of 6 Hythe, Seabrook, Saltwood and Lympne primary schools.

“ We feel it is so important for children to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Many parents and teachers expressed a wish to have access to books that have positive images and stories which included characters from a range of diverse cultures and backgrounds. We wanted to find books that included characters with disabilities or special needs, children from single parent, gay or blended families, books where boys were able to express their emotions and which included strong and assertive girls as role models. It’s so important that children are given access to a rich diet of diverse and inclusive books and we felt we could support our local primary schools by adding to their stock and helping them in the work they do.”

“We really hope local teachers, pupils, parents, grandparents, and carers will all find something to enjoy amongst the 50 books we have selected and donated. Reading is a powerful tool in broadening our perspectives, raising self-esteem, challenging our assumptions, and helping to develop empathy, understanding, tolerance and enriching our inner lives. As the saying goes – “Open a book and open your mind”

Thanks go to Hythe Town Council and Councillor Jim Martin in particular for supporting the project by awarding a ward grant. Thanks also to local specialist children’s bookshop in Hythe High Street, The Book Den, for sourcing the books. The team are due soon to make a donation of over 100 books to Hythe public library and also now hope to be able to work with local

nurseries and playgroups to fundraise and donate even more books.

For further information please contact the team at

[email protected] or check out @HytheBooksforChange on Facebook and Instagram and @HytheBooks on Twitter.

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