Celebrating Creativity and Diversity: ‘See Myself in Books’ Bookmark Competition Winners Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of our ‘See Myself in Books’ bookmark design competition, a vibrant celebration of creativity, identity, and inclusion across Manchester.
As part of our ongoing campaign to promote diverse and inclusive stories, we invited young people aged 5 to 16 to design bookmarks that reflect themselves or a character from ethnically diverse or neurodiverse backgrounds. We received so many imaginative and meaningful entries from across the city that it made choosing the winners very difficult!
After careful consideration, we’re happy to share that our winners entered from Abraham Moss Library and Longsight Library. Each winning design will be transformed into official Manchester Libraries bookmarks and shared with children across the city, spreading positive messages about representation and belonging through art.
Why ‘See Myself in Books’ Matters
Books have the power to shape how we see the world and ourselves. The ‘See Myself in Books’ campaign champions stories that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, traditions, and neurodiverse experiences that make up our communities. Whether it’s a character who shares your heritage or someone who thinks and learns in a similar way, seeing yourself in a story can be a powerful and affirming experience.
The Competition
Young artists were invited to submit designs in one of three age categories:
- 5–8 years
- 9–12 years
- 13–16 years
Each winner received a goody bag of prizes and the exciting opportunity to have their artwork printed and distributed as official bookmarks in Manchester Libraries this autumn.
A Huge Thank You
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated. Your contributions help make our libraries more inclusive, welcoming, and inspiring for all.
Stay tuned to see the winning bookmarks in your local library soon and keep celebrating stories that reflect the wonderful diversity of our city.
