Our Autumn term Rocket Pack is underway! Rocket Packs are part of our  packages for schools, to support our vision: to see every child read.

We aim to build a whole-school reading culture in primary schools, through promoting an inclusive and engaging reading environment for children. Our Rocket Packs are one way we do this, by delivering high-quality and diverse reading material to our Silver, Gold and Platinum Partner Schools. Your Rocket Pack will be accompanied by an Inspiration Pack, which includes two assemblies, a class activity and a whole-school reading challenge.

The Wonders of Nature Rocket Pack, curated by Ewa Jozefkowicz, is our 7^th Rocket Pack, containing 19 nature-themed books. So far, we’ve sent over 13,905 books to over 265 schools!

In an exclusive interview, we spoke to Ewa about her journey into the world of literacy and the inspiration behind her books and her Rocket Pack.

Ewa was so inspired by the authors she grew up reading that she decided to start writing herself, ‘I still devour children’s books, and I’m constantly inspired by writers like Jacqueline Wilson, David Almond (who wrote the amazing Skellig), and more recently, Thomas Taylor, with his magical Eerie-on-Sea series.’

Nature as a literacy theme

On theme with her Rocket Pack, Ewa’s recently been delving into non-fiction books, particularly on the topic of nature and the forest. She said, ‘The Hidden Life of Trees is an adult book that completely transformed how I see forests. It’s full of fascinating insights into how trees communicate and thrive. For kids, there are some fantastic forest fact books out there too!’

And why did Ewa choose the theme of nature for her Rocket Pack? Well, ‘Nature has always been full of wonder and endless stories waiting to be told. Forest School was a big inspiration, especially the idea of kids connecting with nature and learning through it. It’s the perfect backdrop for a mix of mystery and adventure.’

The importance of reading for primary school children

For Ewa, creating an environment where children feel like they can go on an adventure is key to encouraging their reading habits.

Ewa explains, ‘Stock the library with books across all genres and let kids choose whatever sparks their interest — even comics or graphic novels. Reading aloud can work wonders too — it’s such a great way to bring stories to life. And of course, invite authors to your school if you can. I’d love to visit you!’

She feels passionately about the power of reading and our mission here at Bookmark, ‘Reading isn’t just about books — it’s a key to everything: learning, imagination, and confidence. When children struggle with literacy, it holds them back in so many ways, and I think every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of reading and all the doors it can open.’

Having seen firsthand the challenges schools face with literacy when she was a school governor, Ewa understands the doors that reading opens for children: ‘Bookmark’s mission resonates with me because you’re tackling the literacy gap directly, giving children the skills and the joy they need to succeed in life.’

Thank you to Ewa for curating an amazing collection of books for our 7^th Rocket Pack! Happy reading to the wonderful schools receiving it, we hope you enjoy the fabulous selection of books.

If you share Ewa’s vision for helping children develop a love of reading, learn more about becoming a One-to-one Reading Volunteer.