Young librarian, 10, invited to meet Queen Camilla

A 10-year-old boy who runs a mobile library from a trolley in a school playground has met the Queen thanks to his commitment to helping others to read.

Jayden, from Stoke-on-Trent, was one of six literacy champions chosen to meet the royal at Clarence House in London on Tuesday.

He was invited in recognition of his work with the National Literacy Trust, of which Queen Camilla is the long-standing patron.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Jayden said: “It was dead fun but I was nervous because she’s the most important person I have ever seen in my life.”

The book-lover said Queen Camilla asked him about how he got interested in reading, what his favourite book was and how he got involved with the National Literacy Trust.

He said his favourite book was Bad Dad by David Walliams, which was the one that got him into reading.

Just two years ago, Jayden was a reluctant reader who felt books were not for him.

It was not until his mum Caroline started volunteering with the National Literacy Trust that Jayden discovered his love for reading.

As a literacy champion with the charity, he runs a community bookcase from his front garden as well as a mobile library, made up of a trolley full of books, in the school playground.

Every Friday afternoon, Jayden wheels the trolley out for friends and their families, who borrow books from him.

Jayden said he often helped other children to understand what they were reading.

Lois Bateman, manager of National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent, said she was proud of all the literacy champions in the city.

“The impact they make in Stoke-on-Trent, and also the impact that volunteering has on them as individuals, is honestly life-changing,” she said.

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