Book caching initiative at Aldermaston Primary School creates novel way to encourage youngsters to read

A West Berkshire school has created a novel way to encourage youngsters to read.

Aldermaston Primary School is celebrating an extended week-long World Book Day with its ‘book caching’ initiative.

English coordinator at the school, Tiffany Ebrey, said they were encouraging children to go looking for books, after book caches were placed around the school grounds, as well as in the wider local community.

“We've found that this has been a great little project for building community,” she said.

“Our local business owners love it and welcome new customers into their shops and pubs and tearooms, and lots of them actively engage with the children and ask them about what they're reading.

“Some even give out the odd treat to celebrate Book Week.

“The trail takes families close to the churches, community centres, village halls, secondary schools and leisure centres which make up our community support network - they find out where these places are, and they often read the noticeboards and posters outside to let them know what's going on in their local area.

“It's super healthy, free and fun. I've seen lots of school families getting outside and enjoying a book caching walk together this weekend.

“Perhaps best of all, the caches we hide near our libraries help families to discover places where they can enjoy reading for free all the year round.

“This has had an enormous impact on improving engagement with reading for several of our school families, and attainment in school for their children. So Book Caching is awesome.”

A book cache is a box which contains a book, a stamp and a pen.

The children have all been given a ‘passport’ telling them where they can find the caches and challenging them to explore the area with their families to find as many as they can.

When they uncover a cache they sign the book and spend some time reading it, before stamping their passport and putting everything back where it was for someone else to find and enjoy.

The school previously enjoyed successful book caching events in 2020 and 2023.

Spare maps and passports have been left in the phone box library in Aldermaston village so other locals can join in too.

The trails are open until 4pm on Sunday (March 16).

To see how other schools across the area celebrated World Book Day, just pick up a copy of this week’s Newbury Weekly News and enjoy our special picture supplement.