Apart from helping us to develop and learn, another key benefit of reading is that it can improve our mental health. Studies have found that 30 minutes of reading can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress just as effectively as yoga and humour. Leading up to Children’s Mental Health Week 2024, Liverpool Learning Partnership have several events that school staff and pupils can access to support their reading journey.
Liverpool Children’s Festival of Reading
The Children’s Festival of Reading is happening from January 22nd to 29th, just before Children’s Mental Health Week (starting February 5th). All events are online, livestreamed, and free to LLP member schools! Schools that are not LLP members can take part at a small cost.
The texts chosen are by a diverse range of book creators and include opportunities for children to explore the idea of voice and the importance of using that voice. They include Natalie Denny’s Keisha Jones Takes On The World which tells the story of a young girl learning to use her voice to stand up for what she believes in and In Our Hands by Lucy Farfort, a stunning picture book about a group of friends who make a difference to their world.
Two of the sessions will take place in conjunction with Comics Youth CIC and their publishing arm, Marginal. These sessions will give young marginalised book creators the opportunity to show that their voice matters and give them experience in sharing their books with young audiences. Archie’s Grand Plan and Mara of the Loch are beautifully illustrated stories with themes of friendship, teamwork and the importance of using your voice to advocate for yourself or to help others.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re also providing resources for schools to explore ‘Your Voice Matters’—facilitating discussions and activities inspired by these impactful stories.
Find out more at Liverpool Children’s Festival of Reading – Liverpool Learning Partnership
Let’s celebrate diversity and inclusion and acknowledge that every child’s voice truly matters!
Diversity and Inclusion in Literature Training
Liverpool Learning Partnership is running online training sessions based around Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature aimed at both primary and secondary settings.
Training is FREE for LLP member schools to attend and available to non-LLP schools at a cost of £50 per session.
Training Overview
This session will explore themes of diversity and inclusion within children’s literature. It draws on research into the importance of children feeling represented in the books that they read and the empathy boosting benefits of learning about others whose lives are different from our own.
What Does It Cover?
We will:
- Define ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ and discuss what these terms mean in terms of literature
- Explore findings of research into diversity, inclusion and representation in children’s literature
- Share recommendations of diverse texts and explore ways to share these
- Explore frameworks for critical thinking about how marginalised individuals/groups are portrayed in books
- Signpost to useful resources and campaigns
Who Should Attend?
The training will be suitable for reading leads, diversity leads, curriculum leads, librarians and anyone interested in developing a more diverse book collection for their school.
Who Will Be Leading the Training?
Jenny Holder is the Reading Coordinator at Liverpool Learning Partnership, a charitable organisation that supports the work of over 160 schools. Prior to this, Jenny worked as a primary school teacher (including time as an English Coordinator) for 13 years. During her time at LLP, Jenny has worked to establish reading clubs for vulnerable pupils in 100 schools and has established the city-wide Liverpool Readathon and Liverpool Children’s Festival of Reading. In 2021 she won the Community Reading Champion award in the Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teaching Awards. She is passionate about the impact that reading for pleasure can have on levels of education, social mobility and mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Feedback from previous attendees
“Excellent and really interesting.”
“Really useful and informative.”
PRIMARY
Monday 4th December 3.30-5: Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature – Primary – Liverpool Learning Partnership
Tuesday 5th March 1.30-3: Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature – Primary – Liverpool Learning Partnership
SECONDARY
Thursday 7th December 3.30-5: Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature – Secondary – Liverpool Learning Partnership
Monday 5th March 1.30-3: Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature – Secondary – Liverpool Learning Partnership
Training is FREE for LLP member schools to attend and available to non-LLP schools at a cost of £50 per session. To find out more about this and our other reading training sessions, please visit https://www.liverpoollearningpartnership.com/events/category/reading-training/
