A STAR of Call the Midwife star has congratulated all those who contributed to national book award's success.
Midwife Star Jenny Agutter has been speaking about pupils from schools across the UK who were invited to participate in the second Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards 2024, to comment and vote for the book that they engaged with the most.
Selby author and awards founder Christina Gabbitas who was crowned a Coronation Champion for her work on the charity chose twenty-two schools and five libraries in less privileged areas to take part: Blackburn with Darwen library and schools, Fleetwood, Newcastle, Oldham Library and schools , Blackpool , Oswaldtwistle, Keighley Library and schools , Pupil referral units in Doncaster and Hull, Scarborough library, Spellow Library and schools Liverpool, Birmingham, Bridgend in Wales, Inverness and Belfast.
Jenny Agutter OBE said: "This celebration of literature wouldn’t exist without the tireless work from Christina, bringing together the best of the past years children’s literature voted for by the children themselves.
"On behalf of Christina and myself as a supporter and patron of Children’s Literature Festivals, we want to extend our thanks to all the children, teachers and librarians who dedicated their time to read the books so generously provided by the publishers. There was a wonderful selection of books on a diverse range of subjects from humour and thrillers to fiction.”
Author Hannah Gold said: “I was so thrilled to receive this gorgeous award. A massive thank you to all the children who voted Finding Bear their fave in the traditionally published young reader category. I feel very blessed. Awards voted for by kids are the best thing.”
Dave McPartlin head of Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood said: “We were absolutely thrilled to be asked to take part in a book awards voted for by children. The children have absolutely loved having a real purpose for their writing, and we were hugely grateful for the free books too! And we were over the moon to receive a Best Read Aloud Award.”
Christina launched the Book Awards to accompany her charity, Children's Literature Festivals, which aims to give children and families from less privileged backgrounds access to free literature festivals and books.
She said: "I’m a big believer in giving children a voice who are often told what they should be reading, rather than choosing for themselves. So many book awards are judged by adults. It was great to see so many schools and libraries getting involved in the chosen areas.”
The awards enhanced a sense of teamwork and reading initiative as hundreds of children rallied together in their local schools and libraries to contribute to the awards.
The submission for the 2025 awards is now open: https://www.childrensliteraturefestivals.com/
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