People are being encouraged to buy books for children in families who may not be able to afford presents this Christmas. 

Sheffield Libraries and local bookshop La Biblioteka launched the Lord Mayor’s Big Read this week.

Lord Mayor Sioned-Mair Richards, 64, said more and more referrals are coming in for food banks across Sheffield as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Mayor Richards said: “It’s a worrying time for all so if we can do one small thing by gifting a book then there will be children who will have something to wake up to Christmas morning.”

Owner of La Biblioteka, Alex Maxwell, 36, said this was the first year the shop was working with the Lord Mayor and Sheffield Libraries. 

Mr Maxwell said: “Books are still of great value, we want to encourage the joy of reading for young children.”

The books can be purchased in-person and online after which they are distributed by the store to local libraries and food banks. For every book bought, the store will also donate another one.

The launch is part of Lord Mayor Richards aim to encourage children to read more, as she also hosts reading sessions for school pupils at the Mayor’s Parlour.

Mayor Richards said: “Every child should have a book this Christmas, once you can read it opens up the whole world for you.”

As part of the initiative each child is given a card which they can fill in once they’ve read three books over the Christmas period. 

These cards can be given to a local library where the child will enter into a prize draw and have the chance of winning £50 worth of book tokens. 

Books for this initiative can be purchased from La Biblioteka until 12 December.