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Every child deserves the chance to fall in love with reading. Books spark imagination, build confidence and help shape futures.
That's why South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard is bringing together partners from across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to create the South Yorkshire Reading Network.
The ambition is simple: to make reading for pleasure a bigger part of everyday life for children and families across South Yorkshire. By creating memorable, joyful moments around books, language, creativity and storytelling, the Reading Network will help more children discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Barnsley supported the launch of the project over Summer 2026, with a whole host of activities and events, delivered by Best Start Family Hubs and Libraries across the borough, based on the book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, published by MacMillan Children’s Books.
Hundreds of families took part in activities and were given a story sack and free book to continue their reading at home.
You can find more information on the project on the South Yorkshire Reading Network.