Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Summer Reading Challenge

This year’s theme for the public libraries Summer Reading Challenge is The Big Wild Read and the aim is to encourage children to read six or more books in the summer holidays. As well as being a personal reading challenge, it’s about helping children really enjoy what they read, discover more about books, know how to find books that are right for them, and share ‘reading time’ with parents, library staff and friends. The website will offer children an exciting fusion of reading and IT, with interactive activities. Through a link with Stories from the Web children can contribute reviews and see what other children are reading. www.bigwildread.co.uk

Opportunity for Graphic Novelists

Aspiring graphic novelists should be aware that Jonathon Cape and the Observer are running a competition judged by, amongst others, member Posy Simmonds. The deadline for entries is 3 September. http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/graphicnovels/competition.htm

Children's Book Prizes Updates

Awards

Siobhan Dowd and editors David Fickling and Bella Pearson have won the 2007 Branford Boase Award for A Swift Pure Cry (Random/David Fickling).

Rick Riordan has won the East Sussex Primary Schools Book Award 2006-7

Sophie McKenzie's debut novel Girl, Missing has won the Bolton Book Award, just a matter of weeks after it won the Red House Children's Book Award for Older Readers category.
Catalyst Book Award (North Lanarkshire) shortlistStartled by His Furry Shorts by Louise RennisonTokyo by Graham MarksHenry Tumour by Anthony McGowanJust in Case by Meg Rosoff

J A C West’s Pip of Pengersick - A Smuggler's Tale has won the children's section of the Cornish award Holyer An Gof.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

David Wood will be directing his adaptation of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, opening on July 31st and running until August 25th. All the performances are at 2.30, with a few morning ones on Saturdays. Full details on the Open Air Theatre website, www.openairtheatre.org. www.davidwood.org.uk