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IBC Book Box scheme

The IBC Book Box is our UK-wide bookgifting initiative aimed at increasing access to free inclusive books for the children who need them most.

Every month from September 2024, we’re giving a box of 100 engaging and high-quality inclusive children's books to 2 eligible schools or community libraries within the UK.

Who can apply?

  • State primary schools
  • Community libraries

Only one application is allowed per school or library. Applications must also be made by a lead or senior member of staff.

When?

The application window is currently closed. However, funding for the scheme has been increased, and it will return bigger and better later this year. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates.

Additional FREE resources

All applicants, whether successful or not, will receive access to these fantastic digital resources as part of the IBC Book Box scheme:

  • Exclusive live event: an invitation to a special online author and illustrator event
  • Expert guides: a series of videos from the IBC team, with guidance on sharing inclusive books with children
  • Top tips video: a downloadable slideshow packed with advice on making the most of the IBC website
  • Free newsletter: a link to sign up for our free, quarterly IBC newsletter

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Applications for the IBC Book Box scheme ⁠are now closed

Our mission

Our core aim is to help parents and carers source more diverse, inclusive books for children, so supporting primary schools and community libraries via our new bookgifting scheme is another way of achieving this. The IBC Book Box offers a wide selection of exciting inclusive books that will be received directly and enjoyed by children.

We are also keenly aware of the current unequal access to school library provision, and it’s also likely that many, if not all, school and community libraries suffer from a lack of diverse and inclusive texts.

For example, despite 36% of primary school-aged children in the UK being from minority ethnic backgrounds, only 1% of books published for that age group in 2017 contained a main character portrayed as being from a minoritised ethnic background, increasing to 14% in 2022.

So, while progress is being made, it could take decades for library book stock to become fully inclusive without further curation and support. The IBC Book Box, which comprises books with protagonists from a range of ethnicities and other identies, is contributing towards closing the gap.

Schoolboy reading a book at home, library in the background