15 incredibly talented young writers are taking over Hackney Central Library on 17th August 2024 to show that #RepresentationMatters.
The Children’s Black Book Fair 2024 has been organised by Publisher and retired secondary school, Senior Deputy Headteacher Juliet Coley BCAe who cites her community local library as that special place that changed her life. She was keen to stage an event that would encourage literacy and inspire children from all over the UK, just before they returned back to school.
“I grew up on a council estate by a single parent mother who couldn’t afford much but by encouraging me to be an avid reader, by the time I was 13, even though I had never been on a plane, I had travelled all over the world: Bethlehem, Narnia, Wonderland. That’s the power of reading.”
Juliet has worked with over 60 children and published them in 25 books. She even worked online with 19 primary school children from Accra in Ghana and crowdfunded and launched their book ‘Deacons Ghana’ in Africa last year.
“When I heard that Hackney Libraries was organising a James Baldwin 100 Festival this summer, I knew that it would be a fantastic opportunity for a group of young Black authors to be part of this and a great moment for a collection of young talent to inspire their communities, especially at a time when children experience ‘summer learning loss’ as it is not unusual to find there is a dip in children’s academic attainment between the Summer and Autumn term.”
Published authors from all over the UK and as young as 6, will be sharing their writing journeys: 6 year old Jayce Joyce, author of 3 books who is a member of Mensa and a Guinness World Record Holder. 11 year old Lauren Rose Teixeria, the first and youngest author from Afro Portuguese descent to publish a book in the UK which haas been translated into 3 languages. 16 year old Romeo Bremmer, a 6 times award winning author of 9 books.
In 2023, The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) conducted research, ‘Reflecting Realities’, which showed that children’s books published in 2022 that featuring a main character from a racially minoritised background was 14%. Clearly not reflective of multi-cultural Britain.
There will be a Storytelling Marathon with writers of multicultural books and Community Champions reading to children their favourite Black stories.
These include Serlina Boyd, publisher of Cocoa Girl and Cocoa Boy magazine, Jermain Jackman, winner of BBCs The Voice UK, Venessa Taylor, writer of Baller Boys and Baller Boys vs Bulldozers and Windrush Campaigner Patrick Vernon OBE.
Along with the 15 inspirational young Black authors (age 6 to 16) and 23 Storytellers, on the day there will be:
- 10 Creative Workshops which include:
- How to write a children’s book seminar by Winsome Duncan from the Look Like Me Book Challenge
- How to improve your child’s reading age by Young LIT Stars
- A Kaye’s Friends Inclusive Chill Out: Audio Book zone
- A Manhood Academy Global Boys & Men: Igniting the Reader Within Zone
- Arts and crafts, designing, creating and research activities throughout the day.
There will be competitions, balloons, freebies, music, bubbles and light refreshments and a free goody bag for the first 100 children.
Admission is FREE. Just register on Eventbrite: Children’s Black Book Fair UK.
More details from: [email protected]
