See Myself in Books Festival

Read Manchester’s inaugural See Myself in Books Festival to promote representation in children’s books took place this March.  Devised to complement our neurodiverse and ethnically diverse book collections, 15 diverse authors and illustrators met children in libraries, schools and at the National Football Museum and Stoller Hall during the two week festival.   

The festival launch was held at The Stoller Hall on March 18 where author Maisie Chan and author and illustrator Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola entertained 350 children from seven primary schools, with UK Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph acting as MC.  Pupils from Birchfields Primary became our Media Cubs reporters for the day and produced some fantastic films about See Myself in Books which you can view here. 

Following the launch event, twelve top authors visited venues across the city (with two authors meeting children virtually) to speak to children and young people. The See Myself in Books Festival also had a presence at the Black British Book Festival on 29 March at Central Library, meeting amazing audiences who chatted about the importance of diverse voices in books.  

Our author line-up over the two weeks included the fabulous (in no particular order!):  

Here’s what some of the children and teachers attending the Festival said: 

‘It was great to see Black authors and illustrators. It made me remember I could be whatever I want to be when I grow up.’ (child) 
 
‘As the majority of our children come from BAME backgrounds it was great for them to ‘see themselves in books’ and the validation that they are worthy of having stories written about them. Also inspired them to read and write’. (teacher) 

‘A neurodiverse child with behavioural issues was selected to help, celebrated and empowered.  They came away beaming and positive about the session’ (teacher)

“Hearing the Speak Up book made me want to visit a library” (child)

“It was important for us to see real authors because they are just like normal people like you and me and it makes me see that anyone could be an author!” (child)

‘One of our boys, who struggles a little in class, was amazed by the illustrator. He really took to him, listened to every detail and then created the best he’s ever done. The teacher said it was just fantastic to see him achieve in a different setting’. (teacher)

‘It made me think about the fact that even if you are different, you can still achieve.’ (child)

Literacy Champion volunteers supported the See Myself in Books Festival, attending both flag ship events at Stoller Hall and The National Football Museum.  Our community family fun day was facilitated by Literacy Champion Sassy Holmes, a staff member at the Football Museum.  Five Literacy Champions assisted staff on the day, delivering story times, hiding book tickets, assisting with art and craft activities and talking to families about Read Manchester projects.  Feedback from a family who attended said “Our favourite thing about the day was the time we spent with our children and seeing the diversity of families that took part.”  Activities also took place in several of our neighbourhood libraries to support and celebrate the books in the collections.

Read Manchester also launched a bookmark design competition for three different age groups, to celebrate ethnically or neurodiverse characters in books. The competition will close on 17 May. More information can be found at our Design a Bookmark blog. 

To date, Read Manchester has purchased over 100 See Myself in Books collections and gifted these to primary schools.  If you are a business and able to support with a financial donation, please contact Cheryl Pridgeon cheryl.pridgeon@manchester.gov.uk or Margaret Duff margaret.duff@manchester.gov.uk You can find out more, including more feedback about the Festival and our resources for teachers at See Myself in Books Festival | National Literacy Trust