Rochdale joins ‘Look for a Book’ scheme

Date published: 03 September 2019

A new ‘Look for a Book’ scheme has recently been launched in the Rochdale borough.

A fun initiative spreading across the country, 'Look for a Book' was recently launched in Rochdale by Lowerplace Primary School teacher, Charlotte O’Neill, following the success of a similar scheme in Keswick.

Look for a Book involves a selection of reading books being hidden in reusable waterproof plastic bags, ready to be found by local children. When a child finds a book, they are encouraged to read it with family and friends before placing it back into the bag and hiding it again for another little reader to find and enjoy.

Hidden by Charlotte and her 3-year-old son Archie, some of the books from Rochdale’s scheme have been re-hidden as far as Lytham St Anne’s beach and in Blackpool by local families on days out.

Charlotte, who lives in Norden, said: “I was first introduced to the scheme on a family holiday to Keswick, when I took Archie to the Gruffalo Trail.

“We found a book on the trail and some information about Look for a Book and I thought it was a great idea. The book we found was a poetry book for children and we read it all the way around.

“I thought it would be good to bring the scheme back to Rochdale, so I recycled around 15 of the books Archie wasn't interested in anymore and we both hid them in the places we like to go such as parks.

“Archie loves being outside, and he loves reading, so he’s really enjoyed going out and hiding them or finding ones that other people have hidden during the school holidays.

“It’s a great way to promote reading and it’s also fun to find and hide the books. Being a primary school teacher, I think outdoor learning is really important and I want to promote it more in schools.”

Books have also been left in Milnrow Memorial Park as part of Look for a Book.

Karen Winkler, who has organised a scheme in Norden, said: "When I saw how well the scheme had done in Cumbria it was just clear that it was a great idea and a brilliant way to engage children, especially reluctant readers with a bit of fun and adventure.

“It's a great opportunity to get out of the house and we will also be including information about local libraries in the packs, so that children can be encouraged to visit and find more books that interest them.

“We hope that children enjoy finding and reading the books.”

'Look for a Book' is intended to help get children active as they search for new books to read and get them reading in a fun way.