Kid's book hunt takes over Athy
Clanard Court Hotel Eoin Jacob and Anna Woods have sponsored a set of books, pictured with Louise Kelly whos thought of this iniciative
A super initiative to keep kids reading over the long summer was begun in Athy last week, and will continue for the next three weeks.
‘Hidden Books’, a sort of a treasure hunt, was brought to town by Louise Kelly from Kildare town, but who now lives in Ballyadams. She said: “My husband is from Carlow. We split the difference”.
Louise runs Lou’s Book corner, in association with Osborne’s Children’s Books, and it’s all been online for the past year.
“At the beginning of the year, we started an initiative around the schools with books focusing on kid’s mental health, with books on feelings and making friends for the younger ones, and on bullying and online safety for the older ones.
“We got local businesses to sponsor a book pack, and they’d nominate a school who then got books for their library for free, and we got these into 12 schools across Laois and Kildare.
“We got a great response for this, and so we went on to make a community pledge (for Hidden Books). "It’s getting them outside, it’s a bit of fun, and it doesn’t cost anything.
“Last weekend was the first, but we have 400 books to put out over the next three weekends,” said Lou.
These were dispersed in and around the premises of each of the sponsors, which included the Clannard Court, Pettit's, and our very own Aisling Hyland. Before we finished up, Lou wanted to tell of a further initiative for the pipeline.
“Osborne’s run a great system for schools called ‘Ready, Read, and ‘Ready, Steady, Listen’ for the younger ones in creches or pre-schools,” she said.
“Each kid has a donation card, and Osborne’s will donate up to 60 per cent of what they raise in free books for their schools’ library,” she said. Lou’s Book Corner can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
