See Myself in Books Festival 17-30 March 

Read Manchester’s first ever See Myself in Books Festival is taking place from 17-30 March.  The festival builds on Read Manchester’s work to promote representation in children’s books.  There will be lots of exciting events for schools and families involving diverse authors, including a take-over day at the National Football Museum, a design competition and events in libraries.   

See Myself in Books collections 

Two book collections have been created for primary school-aged children, focusing on ethnic diversity and neurodiversity.  These include brilliant authors who will be inspiring children during the festival, including Dapo Adeola, Nathan Bryon and Maisie Chan who will be launching the festival with 350 children at Stoller Hall.  You can find out which books and authors are in our collections and download the lists here: ethnic diversity, neurodiversity. The collections are just a start: there are loads of other brilliant diverse and inclusive books to explore in Manchester Libraries. 

Above: See Myself in Books authors, Dapo Adeola and Nathan Bryon. Image credit: Joel Goodman

Over 2,000 children will meet diverse authors and illustrators during the festival with their school.  If you would like to meet an author, the brilliant Priscilla Mante will be at our take-over day on 22 March at the National Football Museum. Entry to the museum is free for Manchester residents, so why not come along and join in all the See Myself in Books craft activities and book hunt for children of all ages? The event will take place from 10am to 3pm, with author sessions at 11am and 2pm.  

Libraries will also be hosting free family activities on 22 March. There is no need to book – just come along on the day. Activities are suitable for age 4+: 

Gorton Library 2-4pm  
See Myself in Books – Interactive Storytelling with Afrocats Join Afrocats in a fun workshop of interactive storytelling with diverse characters, using movement and dance to explore themes, emotions, and cultural identity. The workshop will begin with a short, interactive storytelling session featuring selected children’s books that showcase diverse characters and experiences. We will use movement and dance to bring these stories to life.  

Withington Library 2pm – 4pm  
See Myself in Books – Make a Clay Peg Doll Join in the crafty fun with artist Mandy and create a foam clay peg doll of yourself or a book character from our diverse book display. We’ve everything you need, including clay in different skin tones.   

Didsbury Library 2pm – 4pm  
See Myself in Books – Make Odd Sock Plant Pots Join artist Mandy for a fun workshop making yourself into a planter, with odd sock pots faces and plants for hair! 

Beswick Library 11am-1pm  
See Myself in Books – Make a Pop-up book! Join artist Caroline and literally put yourself into a Concertina pop-up book! In this session you’ll be able to take a photo of yourself and turn it into a sticker for your special book.  

Why is See Myself in Books so important? 

Reading for enjoyment brings so many benefits. When children and young people enjoy reading in their free time, they find it easier to relax, feel happy, learn new things, understand the views of others, learn about other cultures and be confident. But too many children are missing out because they don’t feel represented in the books they read. 

Research from the National Literacy Trust shows:  

• Over half (53.1%) of children aged 8-11 said they find it difficult to find books with characters or people like them. 

• 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8-18 said that being given books or having books that represent them would make them want to read more. 

Help us to support more schools with free book collections 

We’re on a mission to spread the word about See Myself in Books and to gift a free collection of each set of books to every primary school in Manchester. We’re almost halfway there!  Manchester Libraries Trust has launched a Just Giving appeal.  If you can, please donate and encourage your friends, family, employer to get involved too.  You can find out more on our Just Giving appeal page here.