Blue Peter Book Club Live comes to Manchester

Posted: 09/04/2024

Manchester Libraries has partnered with BBC Television’s Blue Peter programme and The Reading Agency on a new initiative called The Blue Peter Book Club Live.

The project aims to inspire a love of reading and creativity in primary school-aged children and will engage young readers through a multi-faceted approach involving free activities and events both in and outside of traditional reading spaces.

There will be a large-scale Blue Peter Book Club Live event at Manchester Central Library on 18  May featuring Blue Peter presenters, authors from the Book Club including Eve Ainsworth and Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, plus a book-inspired art-installation created by 10,000 local school children.

Other highlights include a Blue Peter Book Club Live Badge Trail, which will take families to cultural venues across Manchester with activities themed around the 12 Blue Peter Book Club titles.

Children will also be able to discover the Blue Peter Book Club booklist in unexpected settings as part of a series of "Book Hunt" events in Manchester parks and open spaces. Libraries and schools will be able to participate in The Blue Peter Book Club Live using activity packs and reading resources developed by The Reading Agency to create a nationwide celebration.

In partnership with The Reading Agency an expert panel of librarians, booksellers, and children in library sessions, choose the Blue Peter Book Club recommended reads.

The Blue Peter Book Club Live will take place into Summer 2024 with a series of pop-up events at libraries and schools across the UK.

Manchester City Council head of service for libraries, galleries, culture, and youth Neil MacInnes OBE said: "We’re delighted to work alongside our partners to bring such an exciting reading event to the city.

“We know that reading is a joyous experience and getting young Mancunians engaged, excited, and inspired by books now is really important to us as it will engender a love of reading that continues to grow throughout their lives. 

“ And what better place to launch such a wonderful initiative as the much-loved and celebrated Manchester Central Library."