Some 500 free copies of a beautiful new illustrated children’s book called ‘Foxes Don’t Paint’ which aims to encourage young children to be more creative, are being given away to over 40 primary schools across Islington, after new research commissioned by Farringdon-based ad agency Fold7 found the cost-of-living crisis is negatively impacting children’s creativity at home.
To try and tackle the issue, Fold7 have created a children’s book aimed at children aged 3-8, illustrated by Serbian artist Branislav Sosic and written in rhyming verse called ‘Foxes Don’t Paint’. The book encourages young children to nurture their creativity and see it as valuable, beneficial and important. They are also giving away copies to primary schools in Birmingham and Liverpool for World Book Day on 7 March, as well as selling the book and donating proceeds to arts charity Create. The book will also be shared with the Children’s Book Project and ABC Book Club.
Fold7 employees will also be giving readings of the book on World Book Day at Islington’s Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School on Boadicea Street.
The survey of 1,000 nationally representative parents with children aged 5-11 years old, revealed that though virtually all parents (98%) thought it was important that children had the opportunity to take part in creative activities, half say the cost-of-living crisis has had a negative impact on their children’s creativity at home, when the lack of emphasis on arts education and squeezed budgets in primary schools have already been an issue for some time.
Some 47% of all parents questioned think that the cost-of-living crisis has had a negative impact on their child/children’s creativity at home, 47% of all parents have bought less materials for their children to be creative at home, 57% all have taken their children to less attractions that encourage creativity since the cost of living crisis hit the UK and 74% of parents wish they had more money to support their children’s involvement in creative activities.
Aside from the joy, escapism and fun that kids find in being creative, the consequence of kids having less opportunities to be creative could be a gradual decrease in those wanting to pursue careers in the creative industries in London, which are already struggling to hire talented people. This could have serious consequences for the sector in the future – currently, the creative industries contribute £108 billion to the British economy and have long been regarded as one of the UK’s biggest success stories.
The book will also be on sale at www.foxesdontpaint.com with the proceeds donated to Create which provides free high-quality creative arts experiences for children and adults facing challenges in their lives.
‘Foxes Don’t Paint’ is about a little fox who wants to be creative, but is told it’s a waste of time because it won’t feed the pack. The little fox talks to lots of grown-ups about her love of painting and being creative, but they all try to dissuade her from following her passion, chiding her that foxes don’t paint, foxes don’t make up stories, write songs or invent things. But the little fox eventually realises that everyone can be creative – and it can even help you get a decent dinner.
Ryan Newey, founder of Fold7, said: “Creativity has the power to provide children with happiness, self-confidence, and a means of self-expression. If we do not promote and celebrate it, the impact on society, let alone the creative industry, will be devastating. We hope that this book encourages school children everywhere, to see their creativity as a valuable force.”
