Great Western Railway (GWR) has launched Short-Story Dispensers at several major stations, aiming to keep children engaged with reading over the summer holidays. With just a click, kids can obtain a variety of free folklores from a collection titled Line to Legend Land, which includes mythical tales featuring dragons, mermaids, and more.
The dispensers are located at Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids, Cardiff Central, London Paddington, and Oxford. Among the stories available are The Miracle Dolphin of Mevagissey by Michael Morpurgo, King Arthur’s Camelot, and others rooted in local folklore.
Research commissioned by GWR highlights that many children see a decline in reading skills during the summer break, with half of the surveyed parents noting their children read less than three hours a week. In response, GWR also initiated Little Libraries in key stations, which aim to enhance access to books for families traveling.
Both initiatives were announced during a special live reading event featuring acclaimed author Michael Rosen, highlighting the importance of stories in sparking imagination. GWR’s goal is to make reading a fun part of travel, allowing children to explore new narratives while on the move.
GWR’s Head of External Communications, Dan Panes, emphasized the dual adventure of traveling and reading, while Rosen advocated for the need to keep exploring stories throughout the summer.
Image credit: GWR
