Book bank to 'redress balance' between pupils

Maeve Walsh said she had noticed a huge gap between pupils who had plenty of books, and those who had none

A woman who helps children learn to read has started a book bank to ensure "balance" in pupils' access to literature.

Educational consultant Maeve Walsh launched the collection in Coventry primary schools after learning many pupils had no books at home.

Other youngsters had "so many books that they don’t know what to do with", she said.

But after an online appeal, Ms Walsh gathered enough books to gift to every child in St Anne's Catholic Primary School.

• Listen on BBC Sounds: Coventry teacher starts a book bank

"I’m really passionate about engaging children in reading and having plenty of reading materials," said Ms Walsh, also known as The Reading Doctor.

"Its just become so blatantly obvious that the gap is huge between people who do have things and people who don’t.

"Many children are telling me that they don’t have books at home at all."

She added she was "thrilled" with the response to her idea.

"We were able to completely cover [St Anne's] entire stage with beautiful books," she said.

She hopes to collaborate with local food banks to organise a permanent book bank that will also reach older readers.

The educational consultant gathered enough books to gift to about 230 children in St Anne's Catholic Primary School