Engaging Young Readers: Autumn Library Events in Manchester
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Authors, crafts and storytelling, this autumn half term we have hosted numerous free reading for pleasure sessions for children across Manchester. Almost 3000 children have benefited from author and library visits reinforcing the importance of reading pleasure for health, empathy, and wellbeing.
October
We kicked off in October with Wizarding Wednesday at Central Library, almost 100 children from 4 local schools met owls, dabbled with wizarding chemistry and got crafty making spell books.
We were treated to Spooky Stories with Gav Cross for Halloween. Storytelling at its finest, bringing thrills, without too many chills to 177 primary children who visited Central Library.
November
In November 60 young people from local high schools engaged in writing workshops with local author Diana Anyakwo for Black History Month, exploring writing about themselves, their backgrounds, and aspirations. Diana visited Didsbury and Beswick libraries to deliver the workshops.
One teacher commented:
Authors are able to inspire students in a way that can be difficult for school staff, and students can also ask them practical questions about the publishing process etc which can help aspiring writers. I felt this opportunity could inspire them to continue reading and writing for pleasure and reinforce how rewarding it can be, especially in light of recent news re the dramatic drop in reading in this age group.
November also features Anti-Bullying Week and we held sessions for both primary and secondary students. Reading has been shown to grow empathy, (see this report from the BBC Does reading fiction make us better people? – BBC Future) and libraries are crucial in allowing access to a vast range of books, giving children a window to the world.
On Zoom we welcomed award winning Annabel Pitcher whose books have an underlying theme of bullying and its impact. She spoke to Key Stage 3 pupils on zoom about her own experience with bullying as well as how she drew on these themes for her writing.
One of the teachers told us:
The students all really enjoyed the event, and the author inspired them to follow up on reading and writing about its themes. They particularly enjoyed the interactive elements, hearing about how the author related her characters to the event’s themes, and the Q and A. More of that please!
For primary age children we held craft sessions with artist Caroline Coates at Withington, Newton Heath, Arcadia and Central Libraries, looking at how we view ourselves, creating self-portraits, talking about how we can be kind to those around us, as well as writing positive anti-bullying pledges. Over 200 children took part with some wonderfully creative portraits and lots of kind and thoughtful words.
Award winning, and previous World Book Day author, Eve Ainsworth joined us online talking about her football themed books that deal with themes of bullying. Over 1000 children from local primary schools zoomed into the sessions. Her books give hope and courage to those reading about Eve and how she overcomes her fears. Eve related her experience of being bullied herself and one school said.
The openness of the author to relate to her personal experience provided a human touch that these events can sometimes lack – she deserves praise for being willing to share painful memories in such a positive way
We headed to the children’s library in City Library to celebrate World Children’s Day. Did you know there is a World Children’s Day? The day celebrates the United Nations Rights of the Child. As a Child Friendly City we celebrated this special day with stories and crafts. See our previous blog here. Celebrating World Children’s Day at Manchester Libraries – manclibraries blog
Disability History Month runs from the 14th of November until the 20th of December and we invited fantasy author Tendai Huchu to discuss disability representation in fiction, inviting young people to start a conversation about who they see represented and how. It was a great discussion with some brilliant input from the 200 students who attended online. A school librarian said:
I thought Tendai was very sensitive to the topic raised and made the pupils think deeper about representations and misrepresentations of disability. Tendai was patient also and acutely aware of his audience and their own needs. I felt that every pupil on the call was given the opportunity to express their opinions.
Over 700 Year 7 children had the chance to talk about their transition to high school that was aided by our Transition Read Project. Each year all Year 6 children are gifted a book before the summer holidays. This year’s book was Quiet Storm, by local author Kimberly Whittam. Kimberly kindly pre-recorded a session, answering questions sent in by students from Manchester Academy and Co-op Academy North. The children had the chance to talk about concerns and excitement they had before they started high school, as well as giving great tips for next year’s Year 7s. The top tip was be prepared the night before, and sort your bag out! They also took part in our library quiz.
Then it was December!
It wouldn’t be the festive season without a visit from Storyteller Gav Cross. Don’t tell anyone but we think he may actually be Father Christmas!
As we well as storytelling, we had a Christmas Crafts event at Central Library, and local Author Marie Basting explained the Roman festival of Saturnalia and how the Christmas traditions we know now may have been rooted in Roman times. Read more about that in our festive round up. Manchester primary schools enjoy festive fun in libraries this December. – manclibraries blog
And that is it for 2025! Almost 3000 children have joined us in libraries and online since October half term. That’s almost 6000 children since September.
We are really looking forward to 2025, with some big events and fantastic author visits to come. If you are a Manchester School Teacher look out for the Schools Broadcast with how you can get involved or contact libraryschoolbookings@manchester.gov.uk for more information.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year filled with books and joy.
