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12th August 2019
Categories: Visitor News
If you’ve been roaming around the Devon countryside recently, you might have noticed some children’s books hidden about the area. Don’t worry, children haven’t been losing their books in the wilderness, it’s all part of a project set up by a Newton Abbot resident to encourage children to get out and about and to read more this summer. Participants can track their progress and share their finds on a Facebook page set up especially for the project which has grown in popularity over the last few weeks.
Katy Steele came up with the idea of the Devon Hidden Books project in an effort to encourage children to read more and to also get outside and explore. The project asks children to seal a book and a note in a plastic bag and to hide it outdoors for another child to find. When it is found, the book can be taken home, read, and then re-hidden somewhere else with a message added to the note, parents can then post in the Facebook group about the books they have found and their thoughts.
Speaking to reporters, Katy said that the idea was inspired by a similar project being run in Cambridgeshire. After contacting the project’s founder and getting their blessing, she started Devon Hidden Books and has been amazed at how popular it has become. She said: “It’s amazing how the group has taken off so fast, when I started it, I thought ‘if I get 100 people in Newton Abbot to join, I’ll have done well.’ It’s so wonderful, I’m getting hundreds of new members a day.”
Members of the Facebook group share every time they find a book and when they have returned it to the wild. Talking about the popularity of the group, Katy said: “It’s the thrill of the treasure hunt, every child loves finding something tangible that they can hold in their hands. They’re making memories, getting fresh air and exploring new areas.”
Have you spotted any of the hidden books while you’ve been exploring the Devon countryside? Or perhaps you’ve taken part in the project while you’ve been in the county? Let us know! You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to get involved with the project by joining the Devon Hidden Books group here.
© Visit Devon Community Interest Company
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