Terry’s Dumb Dot Story doesn’t sound like the kind of book which will help to improve children’s literacy. But the latest collaboration between Australia’s favourite storytellers, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, will soon be doing just that.
Published on 27 February, the new 64 page story will retail for $2 with the RRP amount from every copy (exc GST) being donated to children’s charities. Dymocks has strongly backed the new book by ordering more stock than any other bookseller and expects to donate over $33,000 to help fund Dymocks Children’s Charities (DCC) literacy programs in schools.
In turn, DCC will double the value of funds, delivering nearly $65,000 worth of brand new books to 10,500 disadvantaged kids in schools and community groups across Australia. Many of the children come from language backgrounds other than English and don’t have access to books at home. Every Dymocks store has nominated a local beneficiary school or community group to support.
The books are accessed through DCC’s Library Regeneration and Duck Library programs which help to improve children’s literacy levels by promoting daily reading for pleasure.
Dymocks Children’s Charities General Manager, Paul Swain, praised the initiative and said the funding will help improve literacy opportunities for all students. “This is a wonderful initiative from Andy, Terry and their publisher Macmillan. We all know how popular their books are with Australian kids and this campaign will enable us to put more great books directly into young readers’ hands.”
Paul said the Library Regeneration funding helps reduce any gaps between children from different socio-economic background by giving access to all. “Many children do not have access to books at home, and are completely reliant upon their schools and local libraries to provide reading material to improve their literacy.”
“It is undeniable that children with good literacy skills achieve significantly better life outcomes. We know that kids who read for pleasure daily are more likely to become life-long learners and that’s why programs like Library Regeneration are so vital.”
Terry’s Dumb Dot Story will be available at Dymocks stores nationally from 27 February until stocks last.