FRENCH teacher, Vicky Cooke, is leading a campaign to donate a magical poetry and picture book to every primary school in Bradford.

Kingfisher, dandelion and bramble are just some of the twenty words that feature in the beautiful pages of ‘The Lost Words.’ Each is brought to life by an individual ‘spell poem’ written by Robert Macfarlane and a series of magical paintings by Jackie Morris. The book is a celebration of words of everyday nature that are disappearing from use among children and no longer feature in the Oxford Junior Dictionary

Inspired by Jane Beaton, who crowdfunded copies of this special book into over 2,500 schools in Scotland earlier this year, Vicky, of Ilkley, has her sights firmly set on achieving the same success for her local education authority.

She said: “The Lost Words is a powerful combination of vibrant images and words that come together to capture the imagination of the reader. “People of all ages will enjoy this enchanting book but if we can get it into the classroom, I hope it will encourage a new generation of young readers to discover a love of language, art and the outside world.

“People who donate a book can also choose to nominate their local school and write a personal dedication if they wish.”

Vicky’s campaign has already won the support of her local bookshop in Ilkley - The Grove Bookshop – which has donated five copies and is generously offering copies at a discounted rate to donate to schools, and she continues to seek further collaborations with local businesses or literary organisations to boost fundraising efforts.

This is the latest in a growing number of similar crowdfunding drives taking place across Britain in what’s being described as a “cultural phenomenon;” with people taking up the cause to ensure ‘The Lost Words’ is shared with as many children as possible.

Another Ilkley woman Debbie Davitt is also to get copies of The Lost Words into primary school across the Wharfe valley.

To make a donation and help Vicky reach the £1,300 target, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lostwordsbradford.

To buy a book for a Bradford primary school, contact The Grove Bookshop, Ilkley, on 01943 609335 or send an email to info@grovebookshop.com. To get involved with the Lost Words Bradford campaign, contact Vicky Cooke on email at vickyjcooke@hotmail.com, on Twitter @MsVCooke or via the Facebook group ‘The Lost Words for Bradford Primary Schools’.

For Wharfe Valley primary schools contact Debbie Davitte on email deborah@new-leaf-design.co.uk