On the initiative, Julie Burland, CEO Penguin Random House Australia, said, “As Australia’s largest publisher, we feel a responsibility to help younger generations become readers.”
“We know that reading levels across Australia are slipping, and that screen time is increasing. If we want our stories to be heard in 20 years’ time, we need to work together to share the passion of reading. Booksellers are already doing a fantastic job of nurturing and encouraging young readers, but these funds will help them do even more.”
Any bookshop with a dedicated children’s book section is eligible to apply for the funds and can do so on puffin.com.au. This grant commences on 14 February 2019 at 9AM AEDT and concludes on 30 April at 5pm AEST. Successful applicants will receive grants valued between $500 and $5,000 inclusive of GST and grants must be used to get kids reading.
The total amount being given to bookstores across Australia will be $100,000 and a panel, including this year’s Children’s Laureate, Morris Gleitzman, will be set up to assess proposals.
The $100,000 initiative is part of a major promotion across 2019 leading up to the 80th anniversary of Puffin in 2020. Puffin will be the face of the campaign which will support all Penguin Random House Australia’s books published in the 0-12 age range.
“We’re revitalising the Puffin brand to delight a new generation of readers, and we have a fantastic campaign for 2019 and beyond, to help booksellers, authors and illustrators, to spread the love of reading and inspire today’s children,” said Burland.
Find out more at www.puffin.com.au.
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