Launched by Amnesty International, the initiative encourages children from four to 10-years-old to read books that explore human rights.
It is being supported by celebrities including The Crown star Olivia Colman and television presenter and former Paralympic basketball player Ade Adepitan.
It comes as research commissioned by Amnesty International UK found that 83 per cent of British children aged eight to 15 said they know little or nothing about their own rights.
Reading Rebels uses stories and activities to explore values like kindness, fairness, and equality. There are two separate reading lists for children with a reading age of four to seven and eight to 10.
Every month for the next 12 months, “little rebels” will receive an inspiring story in the post, along with creative activities to bring the book’s themes to life. The books will also come with a grown-up’s guide to help them get the most out of each story.
The books selected in the club help build children’s knowledge, empathy and agency. They encourage young readers to think, ask questions, seek out the truth and stand up for themselves and each other.
Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK CEO, said:
“Most British children are unaware of their rights and that needs to change. Books are a wonderful way to access the lives of others and they allow children to explore human rights whatever their age. Joining the club will help children understand equality and know how they should be treated, as well as how they should treat others.
“We hope this will empower children to engage with the issues of the moment – from food poverty to gender identity or the plight of refugees.”
- A subscription to Reading Rebels costs £12 a month. Visit www.amnesty.org.uk/giving/donate/join-reading-rebe...