We believe that developing a love of books and reading at an early age helps create life-long readers.

Derby Book Festival hosts biannual appeals for donations of children’s books to be given to less fortunate children in the city who may not have books at home. The appeal coincides with the Summer Festival and Autumn Edition in venues across the city.

Festival organisers urge local residents to have a clear out at home and collect up any previously loved, but now unwanted, children’s books, ideally for children under the age of eleven. One of the Festival’s key aims is to encourage a new generation of readers and they firmly believe that it’s never too young for children to start to enjoy books, whether it’s listening to stories read to them or looking at the vibrant pictures.

The only criteria is that the books should be in good condition to be passed on – consider whether you would be happy to snuggle up close to your child or grandchild to read the book with them?

We also invite residents to donate money instead of books as not everyone has books to donate. This is through the Festival website and PayPal Fundraiser. Online Donation This money will then be used to buy new books for Derby’s school libraries.

During the 2024 Autumn Edition, local residents are invited to drop off their books to a range of venues during the Festival.  These include:

Derbion, City Lab, QUAD, Moorways Sports Village and city branches of Wathall's. Please see the table below for the full opening times.

We know that a number of local businesses are also supporting the appeal in-house with their staff, including Rolls-Royce. Many thanks to everyone.

The Festival, which is funded by the University of Derby and the Arts Council, with support from several local businesses, will work with local schools, nurseries and libraries to distribute the books to families who need them at home.

If you represent a Derby City School (infant, junior, primary), Nursery,  Childminder or Food Bank and would like to register to receive and distribute books to children and families in need, then please complete our registration form. 

Liz Fothergill, Patron of Derby Book Festival said: “We work closely with schools in the city to support the development of a love of books and reading and our Festival activities, including our annual Meet the Author events, sponsored by Cosy, support this. We know that not every child is lucky enough to have books at home and by making this appeal we hope to give every child in the city a book to take home to cherish.”