03/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/04/2021 03:01
On World Book Day, Royal Mail unveils five special postboxes across the UK, honouring British authors and illustrators who have been doing wonderful work using literature to help keep children entertained during lockdown.
The postboxes - one of which is a parcel postbox - have their own unique design which celebrates the work of the authors and illustrators in question. They are located across the UK in London, Cardiff, Sheffield, Belfast and Oban, close to places of significance to either the writers or their work and will be decorated for a month.
Each postbox is digitally activated, containing a QR code linking through to the free services offered by the author it celebrates, for example a YouTube channel offering free online readings.
Details are as follows*:
Mark Street, Head of Campaigns at Royal Mail said: 'It is without a shadow of a doubt that the UK is home to some of the world's best children's authors, and it is heart-warming to see how so many have been focused on keeping the magic of literature alive for children during lockdown. As one of the guardians of the written word, Royal Mail relishes the opportunity to celebrate some of Britain's most treasured writers during these unprecedented times, so it seems only fitting that their amazing work is honoured on some of our iconic postboxes.'
Cressida Cowell, Waterstone's Children's Laureate and author-illustrator commented: 'I am so flattered and delighted to be part of this project, and have a postbox decorated with characters from How to Train Your Dragon. The series is inextricably linked with the astonishing beauty of the islands of the west coast of Scotland. I spent every childhood summer taking the ferry from Oban to Mull, and then on to an uninhabited island next to Staffa, where I explored the seaside wilderness, making up stories. I began writing about dragons and Vikings when I was nine years old, looking across the archipelago of islands all around me, which had been invaded by Vikings over a thousand years before, not knowing that decades later How to Train Your Dragon would not only be a book series, but also films and TV. I will always be grateful for the unique landscape of the islands of this area of Scotland. Their beauty, history and character are woven into my life and work. I use my example to encourage children to use our natural world as inspiration, and to tell them that their creativity is valuable, however old they are. Thank you to the Royal Mail and World Book Day for this honour.'
Cassie Chadderton, CEO of World Book Day said: 'It's wonderful that children and families have felt the benefit of shared reading during the lockdowns thanks to many authors and illustrators. World Book Day aims to that ensure children from all backgrounds can benefit from the improved life chances reading for pleasure offers. The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic mean this mission is now more important than ever, and we're delighted to team up with Royal Mail to recognise the amazing contribution these authors have made.'
Julia Donaldson, CBE commented: 'I am really looking forward to seeing the finished postbox - what a great idea. I hope it brings some cheer to families in Sheffield. Maybe children can post some stories or pictures to their friends and family, and I hope they'll have fun with the new What the Ladybird Heard activities too.'
*The exact address of each postbox is as follows:
ENDS
Media Enquiries
Royal Mail press office
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About Royal Mail plc
Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters ('UKPIL') comprises the company's UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the 'Royal Mail' and 'Parcelforce Worldwide' brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 31 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. Royal Mail also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.
About World Book Day: Thursday 4th March 2021
World Book Day (WBD) changes lives through a love of books and shared reading. Its mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success - more than their family circumstances, their parents' educational background or their income. WBD want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them. Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.