Fremantle Press encourages book lovers to help Reading Out of Poverty deliver the gift of reading this Christmas

Fremantle Press CEO Jane Fraser has pledged the company’s support of early literacy in children from disadvantaged backgrounds by donating picture books to the Victorian not-for-profit organisation Reading Out of Poverty (ROOP).

Every Christmas, ROOP gives away two brand-new books specially gift-wrapped by their volunteers in an effort to engage children aged zero to five years in a lifetime of reading for pleasure, while positively impacting their future educational outcomes and careers.

Jane said, ‘Last year, ROOP distributed 1,750 books through the Christmas Book Giving Program, and this year they aim to donate 2,500 books to families in need. We’re hoping other publishers, booksellers and members of the general public will consider helping ROOP achieve their goal for 2019.’

Since 2011, ROOP has provided services and books to families throughout Victoria, with five annual programs: the ‘Read Aloud’ Program, Christmas Book Giving, Pop-Up Libraries, the New Mothers Initiative and the publication of multilingual baby books. The organisation’s mission is to promote early literacy skills by providing services and resources to families from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, including migrants, refugees, and Indigenous people.

If you would like to donate books or volunteer, head over to roop.org.au for more information.