Why attend? 

We're so excited to be adding a live element to our Summer of Reading this year. 

Take part in an interactive drawing masterclass with Rob Biddulph, join Sharna Jackson to hear about her brand new mystery adventure, or set off on an intrepid journey with M.G Leonard and Sam Sedgman — plus lots more.  
 
The event is taking place at The British Library on July 16, 2022- the national library of the United Kingdom! Did you know there are over 170 million items including artefacts from every age of written civilisation in their collection? Entry to The British Library is free so you're welcome to go and explore while you're at the event. 

Why not make a day of it? 

The British Library is centrally located in London so why not make a day of it? After your author session you could stroll to the amazing Coal Drops Yard where you can find lots of delicious restaurants or pick up a snack and enjoy it sitting by the canal. 
 
Why not jump on a tube and head over to the museum quarter - you could be looking at dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum in half an hour!
 
Or head to the West End and watch a show...the list goes on!

Reading for pleasure is a gift that will last a lifetime 

Literacy is, of course, an essential life skill; it unlocks the door to learning and discovery and has been proven to build brain function, increase vocabulary and improve concentration and creativity. But the benefits of reading go beyond basic comprehension. 

Research by The Reading Agency, National Literacy Trust and others has shown that reading for pleasure promotes mental wellbeing by helping children to relax, reducing anxiety and stress. It can help children develop empathy by experiencing the world through someone else’s eyes. They will begin to understand themselves better, too, as they explore different emotions, identities and experiences. 

The key to encouraging reading for pleasure is to allow children to read what they want. According to the UK Literacy Agency, “If children want to pick up a book, comic or magazine, choose their own reading material and enjoy reading, they are far more likely to continue reading, become effective readers and gain from the countless ensuing benefits.”