Book donations for literacy

Staff at publishing house Backroom Press celebrated National Indigenous Literacy Day last week by donating books to schools.

A total of 41 schools received Backroom Press’s Travelogue series When Harry Went To India, written by Susan Sickert and Harry Watson, and Pat and Jimmy go to China by Pat Lowe and illustrated by Jimmy Pike. The books are about Kimberley Aboriginal men travelling overseas, written with Kimberley schoolchildren in mind.

Last week, Backroom Press chairwoman Sudha Coutinho and committee members visited Broome Primary School to donate the books to students and meet with staff.

She said the Backroom Press team had a strong commitment to Aboriginal literacy and recognised the importance of offering books to children featuring characters they could identify with.

“These books are also a good way of introducing students to different cultures through the adventures of their fellow countrymen,” she said.

Broome Primary School Literacy Consultant Judith Howell said it was wonderful to receive books that would engage children of all ages.