The goal is to equip the reading clubs at all Bremen primary schools with attractive, age-appropriate books, thereby sustainably promoting reading motivation in the Hanseatic city. All Bremen residents can help by purchasing books for students at the selected bookstores.
Third time's the charm in Bremen: Following the success of the first two "Reading Opens Doors" campaigns, the third round is now underway. The campaign is an initiative of the Weser-Kurier newspaper, the Bremen Reading Gang, Bremen Reading Pleasure, 13 independent bookstores, and the Senator for Children and Education, and was recently presented at the Findorffer Bücherfenster bookstore on Hemmstraße.
State Councillor Torsten Klieme emphasizes: “Reading must have a firm place in our children’s everyday lives. This is precisely where our quality initiative at the Senator for Children and Education comes in: In Bremen’s primary schools, children read every day using the reading ribbon. With ‘Reading Opens Doors,’ we want to support this important work and inspire children to love books. Because good stories spark curiosity, open up new worlds, and, as a bonus, strengthen language and reading skills. Every child should have the opportunity to have this experience.”
Participate and give the gift of reading
The initiative makes it easy for all Bremen residents to participate: They simply buy one of the books recommended by experts from the selection list at one of the participating bookstores. The books are then donated to Bremen primary schools – especially those in areas where the need is particularly high.
The following bookstores in Bremen are participating in the promotion:
- Borgfeld Children's Bookstore
- Melchers Bookstore
- Morgenstern Bookstore
- Ostertor Bookstore
- Humboldt Bookstore
- Albatros Bookstore
- Findorff Book Window
- Logbook Shop
- Buntentor Bookstore
- Balke Bookstore
- Lesum reading time
- Literature Square
- Thorban Book & Jewelry
Last school year, thanks to the support of 17 Bremen bookstores, the publishers Schünemann and Temmen, and the Bremen Literature Foundation, 91 book packages were put together, containing a total of 728 books. This means the initiative has surpassed its previous success: in 2024, 672 books were distributed to Bremen's primary schools. The children of Bremen are now benefiting from exciting reading material specially selected by experts.
Source: Third round for “Reading Opens Doors” – Senate Press Office, October 28, 2026
