Education to take away as story sacks make books fun

Oct 3 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A DAUGHTER’S plea for homework help has led a mother to set up a new business providing educational materials to parents.

Ann Williams-Maughan has set up Education Takeaway at her home in Bishop Auckland to provide parents with ‘story sacks’, which contain books along with games, toys and audio CDs which aim to bring the books to life.

The products cannot be bought in the high-street and are supplied by third party suppliers that usually deal exclusively with schools and nurseries, including the Oxford Reading Tree, Orchard Toys and Jolly Phonics, all of which have distribution agreements with Ms Williams-Maughan.

She hopes to grow the business from its current turnover of £10,000 to £100,000 within three years, as well as move into premises and create a dedicated sales force.

She has already created a website at www.educationtakeaway.com to further the reach of the business.

Ms Williams-Maughan said: “Before discovering story sacks it was difficult to really engage with some of my daughter’s story books. Story sacks do just that by bringing the books to life.”

The story sacks will be on display at Gosforth Racecourse from November 9-11.