THERE is a buzz of excitement in the library of St Brigid’s Catholic School, after a special delivery of books recently arrived.

The school has been gifted several copies of eight titles as part of Big W’s Free Books for Kids initiative.

The program provides books to kids in store each week, but for the first time is also placing books into local hospitals, primary schools and childcare centres.

St Brigid’s Catholic school librarian Amanda Kennedy said the books have been well received by students, providing a lift on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We haven’t been able to do book fares where new books come into the school… and Book Week was postponed until October, so we are very excited to have received this donation,” she said.

“The importance of reading for children cannot be underestimated. Reading for pleasure can benefit a child’s education, social and cognitive development, their wellbeing and their mental health.”

Ms Kennedy said among the books, so far the favourites are Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants, Pearl the Magical Unicorn by Sally Odgers, and Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian.

“May Gibbs is one where we had an older copy that didn’t get a lot of interest but this new copy has opened their eyes to the stories or myths of the Australian bush,” she said.

“It was a beautiful mix of new with Captain Underpants with its pranks and silliness, and then back to the timeless May Gibbs.”

The Free Books for Kids initiative is already underway in Big W stores, with the program to give away 2.6 million books to Australian families over the course of eight weeks.