British Embassy Washington donates 2,500 Paddington books to DC-area schools
Over 2,000 children around Washington, DC received a free copy of the beloved British book Paddington thanks to a partnership between the British Embassy, HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to promote early literacy.
Over 2,000 children around Washington, DC received a free copy of the beloved British book Paddington thanks to a partnership between the British Embassy, HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to promote early literacy.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the publication of A Bear called Paddington. The story, a now timeless classic in children’s literature known for its themes of positivity, inclusivity, and kindness, was written in 1958 by Michael Bond, a former BBC cameraman and Royal Air Force veteran who served in the Second World War. Since the book’s original publication, Paddington has become a cult favourite around the world and an iconic work of children’s literature - spurring 28 books, tv shows, toys, statues, and two Paddington feature films, with a third currently in production.
As part of the UK’s efforts to support early literacy, promote British Soft Power and world-leading literature in the United States, the British Embassy in Washington celebrated the book’s anniversary by partnering with publisher HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to distribute copies of the book Paddington to 2,500 public-school students in and around Washington, DC Donations were sent to 10 U.S. Title 1 schools, with books going to students aged between 3 and 9 years old. Title I is a US federal funding program for education used to help ensure that children, regardless of family income, can acquire an equitable and quality education that will allow students to become academically proficient.
To mark the occasion, on Monday, 11 December His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce, sat down with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to read a copy of Paddington to 150 students at Dorothy Heights Elementary School. Ambassador Pierce and Mayor Bowser were joined on-stage by Chancellor of DC Public Schools, Dr. Lewis Ferebee and Principal Masi Preston, of Dorothy Heights Elementary School.
British Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce -
It was a pleasure to join Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee and Principal Preston to read Paddington Bear to students at Dorothy I. Height Elementary School. Paddington’s lessons of kindness and resilience remain an inspiration to children around the world as we mark the book’s 65th anniversary this year. The British Embassy is delighted to donate Paddington books to over 2,000 students at 10 public schools around DC, in partnership with HarperCollins, so that a whole new generation of students can enjoy this iconic British story. I was delighted to receive a welcome present from one of the students and am proudly wearing my Monarchs wrist band to Christmas parties this evening.
For the photos from the event click here; for the full livestream click here.
For media inquiries, please contact Camilla Clark at Camilla.Clark@fcdo.gov.uk.