Today, Oxford University Press (OUP) has revealed plans for its national roadshow as part of the launch of its Raise a Reader campaign. The three-year Raise a Reader initiative, which was announced last month, is supported by celebrities including Alesha Dixon and Louise Pentland and aims to provide children and young people with the tools and opportunities to become lifelong readers in the wake of the pandemic.
To address findings from new consumer and educator research exploring the barriers to becoming a life-long readers, the Raise a Reader campervan will visit ten locations across England with lower levels of literacy. The campervan – packed full of free books, exciting activities, and engaging reading resources – will tour schools, bookshops and public spaces on a nationwide celebration of books and reading from Monday 31 October to Friday 11 November.
The campervan will visit London on Friday 11 November for a bookish celebration featuring bestselling authors and illustrators Korky Paul (Winnie and Wilbur), Harriet Muncaster (Isadora Moon and Emerald and the Ocean Parade), Anthony McGowan (Lark), Jodie Lancet Grant (The Pirate Mums & The Marvellous Doctors), and Paul Westmoreland (Rudy and the Wolf Cub):
– Harriet Muncaster will visit Lyon Park Primary School in Wembley.
– Jodie Lancet Grant will visit Vicarage Primary School in Newham.
– Paul Westmoreland will visit Harris Primary Academy in Beckenham.
– Korky Paul will visit Nelson Primary School in Newham.
– Anthony McGowan will visit The Petchey Academy in Hackney.
Paul Westmoreland said: “Raising children to read is vital for their future. The more a child reads, the more they learn and the more they can succeed in every area of life. Simply reading stories helps us learn about ourselves, about other people and opens doors to every other area of life and further education. It’s also wonderful fun.”
Leading OUP children’s authors and illustrators such as Alex Falase-Koya, author of the smash-hit superhero series, Marv, will join the tour at each further stop to inspire children with engaging workshops and storytelling sessions. In addition, members of the OUP team will be sharing resources to help break down the barriers to reading for pleasure.
The Raise a Reader roadshow itinerary:
Monday 31 October: Oxfordshire
– Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles, author and illustrator of the smash-hit superhero series, Marv, will visit Dashwood Academy in Banbury – one of the ten schools taking part in the ‘Oxfordshire Raise a Reader Programme’.
Tuesday 1 November: Brighton & Hove
– Leigh Hodgkinson, author and illustrator behind Martha Maps it Out, will visit pupils at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Brighton.
– The Book Nook in Hove will play host to a range of reading activities, 10.30—11.30am.
Wednesday 2 November: Camborne, Cornwall
– Naomi and James Jones, the husband-and-wife creative duo behind the bestselling picture books The Perfect Fit and One More Try, will visit Rosemellin Community Primary School in Cambourne.
– Local bookshop Stories by the Sea will also host Naomi and James Jones at St Ives Infant School with a range of reading activities to engage school children.
Thursday 3 November: Bristol
– Sean Julian, whose beautifully illustrated books have entertained children for over 20 years, will visit pupils at Henbury Court Primary Academy.
Friday 4 November: Birmingham
– Paula Harrison, author of beloved Kitty series, will visit St John Bosco Catholic Primary School in West Bromwich.
– AM Dassu, internationally acclaimed YA author of Boy, Everywhere, will visit Fortis Academy in Great Barr.
Monday 7 November: Manchester
– Corrine Averiss, author of the acclaimed Move Mountain, A Dot in the Snow and A Song in the Mist, will visit East Ward Community School in Bury, supported by the Madeleine Lindley bookstore, and Old Hall Drive Academy in Manchester.
– Sally Nicholls, prize-winning YA author behind the inspiring Things a Bright Girl Can Do, will visit William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester.
Tuesday 8 November: Doncaster
– Lou John, author of The Worry Jar, a picture book which teaches children to better manage their worries, will visit Bentley High Street Primary in Doncaster.
Wednesday 9 November: Nottingham
– Korky Paul, illustrator of the iconic Winnie and Wilbur series which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary, will run special workshops at Radcliffe-on-Trent Junior School and Windmill Academy.
Thursday 10 November: Cambridge
– Matty Long, author and illustrator behind the acclaimed Super Happy Magic Forest series, will visit pupils at St Matthew’s Primary School, alongside a visit to his local bookstore, Heffers, between 10am-12pm.
Friday 11 November: London
– Korky Paul joins fellow bestselling authors and illustrators Harriet Muncaster (Isadora Moon and Emerald and the Ocean Parade), Anthony McGowan (Lark), Jodie Lancet Grant (The Pirate Mums & The Marvellous Doctors), and Paul Westmoreland (Rudy and the Wolf Cub) across five London schools.
o Harriet Muncaster will visit Lyon Park Primary School in Wembley.
o Jodie Lancet Grant will visit Vicarage Primary School in Newham.
o Paul Westmoreland will visit Harris Primary Academy in Beckenham.
o Korky Paul will visit Nelson Primary School in Newham.
o Anthony McGowan will visit The Petchey Academy in Hackney.
