First reading will be Little Princess title I Don’t Want to Wash My Hands which has seen sales grow over 2,000% from February to March.
Andersen Press is providing free and accessible readings of its picture books for Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in an exclusive weekly virtual storytime to be broadcast on Seven Stories’ Facebook page.
The first reading will be I Don’t Want to Wash My Hands – read by the author Tony Ross – which has become a surprise pandemic hit with sales up over 2000% from February to March.
Further planned titles include April releases Clem and Crab by Fiona Lumbers; A Fox Called Herbert by Margaret Sturton; and The Little Island by Smriti Prasadam Halls and Robert Starling. A special reading of Jeanne Willis and Adrian Reynold’s Who’s In the Loo will include the author, Jeanne, teaching children a new song to go with washing their hands.
“At Seven Stories we’re doing everything we can to continue to share the magic of children’s books while our museum is temporarily closed,” said John Coburn, creative director and acting co-chief executive at Seven Stories. “During uncertain and confusing times, children’s books can be a tonic for young people and their families providing escapism, inspiration and a way for young minds to understand the world a little more. We’re delighted to be working with Andersen Press on this weekly broadcast.”
Charlie Sheppard, publishing director at Andersen Press, added: “We hope that coming together and sharing stories can help parents who we know are at home with children and perhaps struggling to find things to do through the day.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us to share some of our new and most-loved books with Seven Stories’ amazingly engaged audience.”
