The home of Leicester Tigers has this week hosted Author Week, which aims at encouraging and improving reading among youngsters.
It has been attended by around 4,000 city primary schoolchildren from more than 65 schools, with 10 of the country’s top children's authors conducting practical workshops and question and answer sessions.
Among the authors was Bali Rai, whose books include the popular Soccer Squad series. He said: “It has been awesome. To have 4,000 children coming to the event in one week is fantastic.”
The Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Roger Blackmore, attended one of the final workshops of the week and talked about his favourite books, which included Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
Coun Blackmore said: “Author Week has been a hugely successful week with so many children enjoying the experience of meeting living writers in person.
“I was particularly pleased that so many schools from throughout the city were able to take part and the facilities provided by the Tigers were ideal. It has been a fantastic event.”
Author Week is aimed at encouraging and improving reading among youngsters. It forms a part of a new Leicester City Council-supported initiative called Whatever It Takes, which promotes reading among primary schools.
Other authors that took part in the week's activities were Lizzie Finlay, Sarah McIntrye, Chris Wormwell, Hannah Shaw, Guy Bass, Sally Nicholls, John Dougherty, Linda Newberry, and MG Harris.
For more details on Author Week and Whatever It Takes, contact Ellen Lee by calling 0116 299 5940 or email [email protected]
