Recently, independent British book publisher Walker Books paired with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic picture book "We’re Going on a Bear Hunt," whilst using the event to also raise money for a good cause.
With that in mind, the pair gathering 1,438 children at Charter Hall in Colchester (UK) to take part in a successful Guinness World Records attempt at the largest reading lesson. Walker Books and the RNIB succeeded in pushing the RasGas Company Ltd and Maktata (Qatar) off the top spot, previously held at 1,390 participants.
The record-breaking lesson was hosted by Michael Rosen – the author of the much-loved children’s book - who received the official record certificate after the attempt.
“It was a reading lesson, we worked some moves into it and put on an enormous show. We won a certificate – I feel like Usain Bolt.”
The curriculum-approved reading lesson was put together by the education specialists Yellow Door, with the aim of making it fully accessible to children who are blind or partially sighted. All of the organizers wanted to make sure that everyone could be involved in, and experience, the bear hunt regardless of sight.
In addition to this, the reading lesson was also streamed live to approximately 30,000 children all over the UK. The RNIB claims that only 7 percent of all books are fully accessible to blind and partially sighted readers. The full lesson is available for viewing here.
The charity partnership between Walker Books and RNIB has been strong since 2013, when Walker Books and RNIB gave away 70,000 copies of "We’re Going on a Bear Hunt" through the Daily Express and 491 Morrison stores.
The excitement of this record attracted a lot of online attention, from publications such as Express and ITV.com, as well as regional print publications, including the Belfast Telegraph.
Every child involved in the attempt donated £1 to "Read for RNIB Day" – a day dedicated to opening up the world of reading to children with sight problems – making sure thousands of pounds were raised.
