Free books given to all high school and primary school starters in Manchester

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Old Hall Drive Academy in Gorton taking part in transition read scheme giving children across Manchester a free book to keep. Pictured Ibrahim and Eshal reading their book

Tens of thousands of free books have been handed out to children across Manchester as they head back to school.

As part of a scheme set up in 2020 by Read Manchester – a partnership between Manchester City Council and National Literacy Trust – and initially aimed at children leaving primary school to head off to high school, more than 48,000 free books have since been given out to the city’s 11-year-olds within the past four years.

As the scheme proved to be such a success, it was then extended in 2023 to also support four-year-olds going to school for the first time.  

21,000 free books have now also been put in the hands of Reception class youngsters in the region since the scheme was extended to include them.

And now, as 2025’s Reception and Year 7 students began heading back to school for the new term this week, more than 15,000 free books were handed out to them too in a bid to get them reading and enjoying books.

The Council also hopes the free books will give children a ‘shared experience’ with their new classmates as they start a new chapter in their lives together at school.

The book gifted to Year 6 pupils leaving their primary school this year was – for the second year running – ‘Quiet Storm’ by local author Kimberly Whittam, who herself works in a Manchester school and was based, in part, on her own experiences as a quiet and sometimes-shy child.  

Children starting school for the very first time this year were each given a copy of ‘The One and Only You’ by author Shane Hegarty and illustrator Ben Mantle, which is a heartfelt picture book about celebrating individuality.

Levenshulme High School students distributing free books to year six pupils visiting for transition day, Pictured with book author Kimberly Whittham from Manchester L-R Zoha and Elyssialp

“Starting school for the first time, or moving up to high school are both huge milestone moments in a child’s life and can be a big deal for children, no matter how confident they usually are,” commented Councillor Julie Reid, who is the Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People at Manchester City Council.

“Our transition read scheme is such a simple idea and yet one that makes a real difference to pupils.

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“It helps them interact and engage with their new classmates and teachers, and importantly also helps to really embed and kickstart in all our children and young people a real love of reading that we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.”

Featured Image – Manchester City Council