Arts Derbyshire

29.10.2024

Derby Book Festival appeal for children’s books

Derby Book Festival is launching an appeal for donations of children’s books to be given to less fortunate children in the city who may not have books at home.  Derby Book Festival is asking local residents to have a clear out at home and collect up any previously loved, but now unwanted, children’s books, ideally for children under eleven. This is the fourth time Derby Book Festival has organised the appeal.  To date they have collected 5,000 books from the residents of Derby.

The appeal is launched to coincide with this year’s Autumn Edition of the Festival, which will be held from 14-19 November, supported by the University of Derby and Marketing Derby, many of whose Bondholders support it each year.

The Festival, which is funded by the University of Derby and Arts Council England plus sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals, will work with local schools, nurseries and libraries to distribute the books to families who need them at home. The only criteria is that the books should be in good condition to be passed on – consider whether you would be happy to snuggle up close to your child or grandchild to read the book with them?  One of the Festival’s key aims is to encourage a new generation of readers and they firmly believe that it’s never too young for children to start to enjoy books, whether it’s listening to stories read to them or looking at the vibrant pictures.

Marketing Derby has kindly offered the Festival use of the Derby City Lab in Derbion during this year’s Autumn Edition from Thursday 14 to Tuesday 19 November.  People are invited to pop into the Lab between 11am – 4pm to drop them off.  Books can also be dropped off at Festival venues when Festival goers attend events at the Autumn Edition.  The appeal is also supported by QUAD, Derbion, Moorways Sports Village and Wathall’s (all Derby branches and Ashbourne). The full list of opening times can be found on the Book Festival website.

Professor Keith McLay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby and Derby Book Festival Chair, said: “As a University, we firmly believe in the transformational nature of education and are committed to social mobility, working to inspire and create opportunities for people across our city, region and beyond.

“In close partnership with schools, we aim to meet the aspirations of young people and improve their attainment and education outcomes, which includes the development of a love of reading. Books provide us with escapism and help us explore new ideas, and we hope that people come forward and support this worthy appeal.”

As well as the Meet the Author events for primary and secondary schools, which this year has included events with Sophy Henn and award-winning writer, SF Said, the Festival runs its successful Derby Children’s Picture Book Award.  This year’s winner, voted for by six- and seven-year-olds in the city’s schools, was Thunderboots By Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown.  Schools will enjoy virtual visits to 170 classes from Naomi and Rebecca in May.

The Festival will also have a range of events and activities for children and families at this year’s Festival:

Friday 15th November

12.30pm – 1.15pm & 1.45pm – 2.30pm

Playful Moves: Giraffes Can’t Dance Workshop:

A story-inspired music and movement workshop led by ‘Dance with Rosy’

West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby  DE22 3BL

FREE – but must be booked.  Suggested donation of £6

Suitable for 2-5 year olds – all children must be accompanied by an adult

 

Saturday 16th November

10am-11am Alvaston Library

11.45am- 12.45pm Normanton Library

Design your own Monster with Pippa Curnick

FREE – Places must be booked direct with libraries.

Suitable for 4-10 year olds. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

2pm-2.45pm Derby’s Ethical Christmas Market, The Chocolate Factory (Open 10.30am-3.30pm)

Design your own Christmas Cake with Pippa Curnick

FREE drop in activity. Suitable for 4-10 year olds. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Sunday 17th November

2.00pm-3.00pm

Meet the Authors – Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown: Thunderboots (Winner of the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award)

The Old Library

£5

Suitable for 5-10 year olds

 

Monday 18th November

All day – Meet the Author event with Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown – Schools only event

Normanton Library

Find out more about this year’s Festival at www.derbybookfestival.co.uk

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