The Jean Russell Gift initiated in 1984 honours and celebrates the memory of Anne Wood’s dear friend and colleague Mary Jean Russell (1940 – 1983) – a great loss.
As a child Jean experienced long periods in hospital due to a form of tuberculosis. Books were special. Always a reader, Jean found freedom in books. She never allowed herself to be defined by disability or recurrent illness, giving unstintingly of her love and her time to bring children and good books together.
In 1969 Jean joined forces with Anne to set up The Federation of Children’s Book Groups, a pioneering, progressive, grassroots organisation drawing attention to the importance of children’s literature and the need for wider access to book ownership. All this was in the days before there were any paperback books for children.
The Federation created community events across Britain where children could gather and hear stories read aloud. Jean loved to be at the heart of these events. Always practical, always ready with a collection of carpet squares if children needed to sit on the ground outdoors to listen to stories.
In 1984 in Jean’s memory Anne inaugurated an annual gift of books to a nominated child and their family. In 2015 it became one of The Ragdoll Foundation’s legacy projects and was given as an annual grant to The Federation of Children’s Book Groups initially to support The Jean Russell Storytelling Project and later to develop the Federation’s local book groups, in particular to support its website and the annual Children’s Book Award – the only national award voted solely by children from start to finish.
The Jean Russell Gift has been an integral part of The Ragdoll Foundation for the last 10 years and is an important part of its legacy.
