Pupils at two primary schools in Bath were visited by children’s authors Robert Starling and Emma Perry, thanks to a donation from housing association Curo and Travis Perkins.
Author Robert Starling performing his book ‘Super Sloth’ at WASPS | Photo © Curo
In total, £1,710 was donated through a joint Curo and Travis Perkins Managed Services funding pot, which is available for local community projects and ideas.
The visits were organised with Bath Children’s Literature Festival, with Robert Starling visiting Weston All Saints Primary School (WASPS) and Emma Perry reading at St. Saviours Junior School in Larkhall.
WASPS pupils Toby and Halle said: “It was a fun morning and I liked making my own superhero animal.
“I want to be an illustrator when I grow up.”
Louise Holloway, a teacher at St Saviours School said: “Thank you so much for organising for Emma Perry to read her book. The children and staff all loved the story and dressing up. It really stimulated the children’s imaginations.
“They were buzzing about it after and full of creative ideas for writing their own books.
Samantha Thomas, Business Support Lead at Curo, said: “I’m so pleased this has finally gone ahead after COVID postponed last year’s visits.
“Curo are so happy to help Bath Children’s Literature Festival to inspire these children.
“Robert and Emma were amazing, and the kids loved hearing their stories.”
The schools are part of several in the Bath area to benefit from the community fund.
Other schools in the area also received new books and attended the Bath Children’s Literature Festival for free.
Hazel Plowman, Head of Creative Learning for Bath Festivals, said: “We were delighted to receive a grant from the Curo/Travis Perkins Community Fund which enabled us to inspire even more children to read for pleasure as part of Bath Children’s Literature Festival.
“Through the grant we’ve been able to arrange author readings, donate new books and bring schools to see Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell live on stage for free.
“Inspiring children and young people is a vital part of what we do at Bath Festivals and we are grateful to the community fund for supporting us to make it happen.”
Martyn Piper, Account Manager at Travis Perkins added: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Bath Children’s Literature Festival. I’m sure this event will get children to enjoy reading more in the future.”
