Skip to content
Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Search
Close

Local children’s author’s work included in Liverpool time capsule

June 7, 2021
|
by Editor
Local children’s author's work included in Liverpool time capsule

Children’s author Natalie Reeves Billing’s book, Ben and the Bug, which she wrote to help children tackle covid-related anxiety, will be saved for posterity in a Liverpool time capsule commemorating some of the key moments of 2020.

The ‘Capsule of Culture,’ which is on display at the Liver Building, will mark a year that organiser Peter Johnson-Traherne describes as “pressing, pivotal and poignant.”

Schools and individuals nominated items that they felt best represented key moments in 2020 and chose an eclectic mix of mementos – from Merseyside author Natalie Reeves Billing’s book to Tony Bellew’s boxing gloves to face masks and a model of Everton’s new stadium.

Judges including Kim Cattrall, Lord Mayor Anna Rothery, Liverpool and England footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ru Paul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne carefully considered the nominations before choosing key items that they felt best represented 2020 for the time capsule. 

The judging panel also included Olympic Gold medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Executive Officer at Everton Football Club and Maria Breslin, the first female editor of the Liverpool Echo, among other key figures.

Natalie Reeves Billing said:

“Having one of my books chosen felt like the glorious end of a long, nerve-wracking journey. Although lots of things have been happening to be excited about recently, to have my book recognised by a celebrity panel and placed in a cultural exhibition in the iconic Royal Liver Building is a Liverpool girl’s dream come true. It means the world, and my mum is so proud too, which makes me smile even more.”

Teachers and parents have been using Natalie’s book to introduce the topic of covid in a way that’s accessible to children, and the author said: “I wanted to write a book that gave this mysterious virus a face, and often that takes the fear out of things. The unknown is much scarier – the idea that some unseen attacker is out there waiting to get us. As children returned to school, I wanted them to know that they could play a part in keeping us safe, but to remind them of the importance of fun, friendship and normality, too.”

She added: 

“I hope my book has played some small part in alleviating anxiety during a really long, difficult period. I hope it brought joy to little readers and provided a tool for families to open up conversations about the pandemic in an easy-going, palatable way.”

Natalie, who is keen to build upon her work in the local community with the Liverpool 6 Community Association alongside other organisations to encourage literacy and creativity, said: “Literacy is a main focal point in Liverpool, and I’m delighted to be on the core planning committee for Liverpool Years of Reading and Writing, and I’m passionate about the power of creativity, storytelling and education as a way of creating a kinder, fairer world. My social enterprise, Split Perspectivz, was set up in February 2020 to do just that, offering literacy tools and resources to families who needed them most.”

Since ‘Ben and the Bug’ was published, Natalie has gone on to write more books for children focusing on mental health for kids and their families, and is committed to working in the community, delivering free resources and literacy boxes via her new initiative, Build a Book. 

The author, who says that her Build a Book literacy boxes are “jam-packed full of magic and imagination” says that having her work selected for the ‘Capsule of Culture’ will help her to further her message and continue her work in the community.

Visit websites: www.nataliereevesbilling.co.uk & www.builder-book.com 

READ MORE: Faces of Liverpool – Natalie Reeves Billing

Gaucho has arrived in Liverpool!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

TheHousethatKittBuilt
Royal Albert Dock Liverpool lights up 2023 with free family-friendly entertainment 'Fiesta of Fire'
2022 Recruitment Day
Liverpool John Lennon Airport to host Recruitment Day for almost 200 airport vacancies
EUROVOL004
Eurovision host city wants YOU to get involved!
428b0c14f22ce4177a1e00a02bde4980cbea0afa
Temporary changes to Merseyrail Northern Line services in February
the beatles story
The Beatles Story invites you to a ‘Pilgrimage for George’ event commemorating his 80th birthday
FE8A85EF-093B-4EC2-9D52-3D18522712C1
Faces behind the Business – Neil Hodgson - Mean-Eyed Cat
Cover Me In Disco Discohead
Frederiks launches new disco night with a difference
FiL7qFgWIAEy42O
Jamie Webster, Lady Leshurr, Bob Vylan, Denis O'Regan announced for Sound City Conference
Liverpool ONE sign for Eurovision
New-look of the Liverpool sign gets unveiled at Liverpool ONE for Eurovision countdown
Knowsley Safari Kids Go Free free app car
Knowsley Safari offers free tickets during Teacher Strike 

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL!

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

Stay in the loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

We never share your information with anyone.

OTHER LINKS

  • Liverpool Maps
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy

SUB LINKS

  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

DIRECTORY LINKS

  • Business Login
  • Register
  • View Directory

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!