Manchester Children’s Book Festival
A Laureate Education project operating annually, Manchester Children’s Book Festival was launched in 2010 and celebrates children’s books and reading with an array of events in central Manchester.
It is organised and operated by The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University and takes place in locations across the city including Manchester Central Library, as well as collaborating with other organisations such as the Manchester Literature Festival.
The festival works with schools and communities through a series of projects, competitions and workshops. Professor Dame Carol Ann Duffy OBE CBE is the creative director.
Manchester Children’s Book Festival typically takes the format of 10 days of family-friendly reading inspired activities in June/July – with popular events including the Family Fun Day, the storytelling tent and creative visits, which have in the past included author Matt Brown and illustrator Lizzy Finley visiting patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).
It also operates a rolling programme of events throughout the year.
Other authors who have been involved in the festival include former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, Gillian Clarke and Nick Sharratt as just some examples.