The Salford Children’s Book Award, which is run by Salford Schools’ Library Service, has celebrated its milestone 21st anniversary with a bumper event attended by eleven local schools, leading authors, a comedian, the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Tanya Burch and key partners of the service.
Salford has played the most important part in public literature having set up the world’s first free public library in 1850.
The literary Award, hosted by award-winning author and comedian, James Campbell encourages older children to read a wide variety of books and authors to show that reading is fun as well as being essential for literacy development.
Since 2003, thousands of local school children have read some of the highest quality UK fiction and met and voted for some of the most popular authors in the UK.
In addition to buying books, all children attending the ceremony this year were able to take home a free book, signed by one of the authors, thanks to the generous support of the Bupa Foundation.
New Salford High School, Salford Star Academy in Little Hulton attended the event for the first time alongside Award veterans St Patrick’s, whose librarian Linda Parker has participated in the scheme for 21 years. To thank Linda for her dedication, pupils from St Patrick’s performed a bonus presentation about what the Salford Children’s Book Award means to their school.
This year there were six outstanding books shortlisted and all authors were at the event, which was held at the University of Salford’s New Adelphi Theatre. Around 160 school children attended and met their literary icons, did presentations about their favourite books in front of a packed audience, and listened to the authors talking about their creative writing processes, inspirations and literary journeys.
In addition to buying books, all children attending the ceremony this year were able to take home a free book, signed by one of the authors, thanks to the generous support of the Bupa Foundation.
The shortlisted books were; When I See Blue by Lily Bailey, Fake by Ele Fountain, 21% Monster by P.J. Canning, The Extraordinary Voyage of Katy Willacott by Sharon Gosling, Can You Feel The Noise by Stewart Foster and The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze.
The winner is When I See Blue by Lily Bailey. Lily Bailey said:
‘I am delighted to win this award. I wrote When I See Blue as the book I wish I’d had as a young person growing up to make me feel seen. When I was younger this is the sort of event I would have gone to, so it is amazing for me to attend and be on the other side as an author. I have huge respect for the pupils who came on stage today talking about their favourite books in front of authors, adults and peers.’
Hannah Quinlan, Head of Libraries at Salford Community Leisure, said:
“The Salford Schools’ Library Service has worked tirelessly for 21 years on this wonderful event, encouraging pupils in local schools to love reading. We thank this year’s supporters including the Bupa Foundation, which has provided free books for every pupil, Salford University for providing the venue and event support plus Aspen Corporate and the Copthorne Hotel.”
Author, host and comedian, James Campbell, said:
“It’s such a privilege to return to Salford. It has become one of my favourite places. I love the enthusiasm of the children and the care and devotion they put into their presentations.”
Since 2003, Salford Community Leisure’s Children’s Book Award has distributed over 4,500 books to schools across Salford, has generated over 2,500 votes and has awarded 19 different authors since the start. As well as the school book Award, Salford has 16 libraries with (fine-free) free-to-loan books for everyone in the community aged 0-100+. As well as all the latest books, classics and fiction titles, the libraries have an extensive event programme of free and low-cost events for everyone plus other facilities including learning activities, computers, spaces to relax, WiFi, eBooks and e-Literature.
