Exciting chapter for firm as duchess endorses books
LEICESTER “plantable” children’s book company Willsow has secured a royal endorsement from Sarah, Duchess of York.
The Duchess has a YouTube channel featuring a series called Storytime with Fergie and Friends, during which she reads children’s storybooks and chats to occasional special guests.
Recently, the Duchess featured two titles from the Willsow collection: The Carrot Who Was Too Big For His Bed and The Basil Who Built Bridges.
In the video, Sarah can be seen reading the books – which are made from recycled paper and have seeds embedded on each page – before planting them in the garden, while telling the audience all about their sustainable features.
It is the latest recognition for the city business, which earlier this year won the backing of Dragons’ Den panellist Sara Davies.
Storytime with Fergie and Friends launched in April last year to keep children entertained during the pandemic. A host of stars have joined her on set, including princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Stephen Fry.
The series has been a big success, with some videos receiving more than 178,000 views.
Willsow books are the first of their kind, a completely sustainable, plantable children’s book that can be planted to grow real herbs and vegetables after the story has been read.
The books use vegetable-based inks and post-consumer waste recycled paper, as well as making the books without harmful metal staples or toxic glue.
Instead, they’re stitched with 100 per cent natural cotton.
Willsow, which is based in Duns Lane, near the city centre, even goes so far as to use renewable energy to power their print factory.
The Duchess discovered Willsow and fell in love with the concept right away.
As a champion for hands-on learning, being in the great outdoors and nature, the Duchess is exactly what Willsow is all about.
Tom Willday, founder, and James Coulthurst, commercial director, were invited to meet the Duchess to discuss all things Willsow, as well as what inspired the creation of the world’s first plantable children’s book.
Tom said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have met Sarah, Duchess of York.
“It was a fantastic day and really refreshing to meet someone with a passion so close to Willsow’s heart.
“It’s surreal to be recognised by a member of the royal family and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.”