Readers,
Today, we have a special ask of you as we launch our Christmas appeal, joining forces with Scottish Book Trust to ensure children across our country get a new book of their own this year.
I, much like you I hope, have irreplaceable memories of reading as a child; of being read to, of stories and picture books that shaped my childhood, through to my teenage years.
For me, my imagination was fuelled by the works of Shirley Hughes, of Allan and Janet Ahlberg, Roald Dahl, Michelle Magorian, Judy Blume and Sue Townsend, to name a few. They shaped my thoughts and brought an immense about of joy.
Read more: Val McDermid: How you can help children discover stories this Christmas
Not every child will have this experience, but this year we at The Herald are determined to do all we can to ensure as many as possible do.
We are asking you, our loyal readers, to donate to Scottish Book Trust so it can deliver, through food banks across Scotland, books to families this Christmas.
Visit scottishbooktrust.com/donate for more details.
Thank you,
Catherine Salmond, Editor
As the cost of living crisis escalates, more children and families are being forced to go without. A million people in Scotland are reported to live in poverty, and a quarter of them are children.
It means families are having to make difficult choices to keep food on the table, and many children in Scotland do not have books at home.
If you would like to make sure a disadvantaged child gets a book for Christmas, you can donate to our Christmas campaign with the Scottish Book Trust.
Donations support gifting books to families who need them most through food banks and community hubs.
To bring a child, magic, comfort and joy this festive period, just visit scottishbooktrust/donate
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