GWR brings adventures to life for World Book Day

• Great Western Railway reveals exclusive Famous Five book for World Book Day: Five Go On A Great Western Adventure
• Thousands of copies of the new story to be given away to children across the GWR network
• Famous Five characters come to life to surprise customers at stations on the GWR route

Great Western Railway (GWR) is supporting World Book Day 2019 by bringing the ‘Famous Five’ to life and launching a new book based on the popular series by Enid Blyton. The book was created in collaboration with Hachette Children’s Group the publishers of Enid Blyton and the owner of Enid Blyton entertainment.

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School children from New Hinksey C.E Primary in Oxford helped unveil the new book which will be given away to thousands of kids on-board GWR services on World Book Day, Thursday 7 March 2019.

Copies of the book will also be available to be won for anyone by entering a competition on the GWR Facebook and Twitter social media channels.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:

“World Book Day is such a great opportunity to promote literacy and a sense of adventure from reading books. We’re excited to unveil this exclusive story featuring the Famous Five and hope it will encourage people to enjoy adventures of their own by train.”

The latest story focuses on the Famous Five chasing a jewel thief and the adventures they have along the way. Locations across the South West, South Wales, West of England and Thames Valley feature in this latest must-read.

100 copies will also be distributed to children living in care in Swindon. The Wiltshire town has some of the lowest literacy levels in the UK.

Director of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said:

"We know that children who have books of their own do better at school and are happier with their lives. But 1 in 8 disadvantaged children in the UK don’t have a single book of their own at home. We are delighted that Great Western Railway will be bringing the joy of books and reading to so many children and young people this World Book Day.”

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.