Dragons, wizards and hungry caterpillars are on the curriculum for 30,000 children across the city as the Liverpool Readathon returns for its third year next month.
More than 100 schools have signed up to take part in this year’s event from 2-13 March which will include a visit from Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell.
The Liverpool Readathon will also incorporate a citywide Drop Everything and Read (#DEARLiverpool) at 10am on World Book Day (Thursday 5 March), which is also open to local community groups and businesses as part of the Liverpool City Council-led Year of Reading #LiverpoolReads initiative.
The Readathon is organised by the Liverpool Learning Partnership with the charity Read for Good, which has been running its Readathon in individual schools since 1984. Children taking part in the event will be sponsored to read whatever they like – from comics to classics – with the emphasis on reading what they love.
Reading co-ordinator for the Liverpool Learning Partnership Jenny Holder said: “We’re already known as a city of football, music and culture – and increasingly Liverpool is also becoming known for being a city of readers, especially in 2020 with the citywide Liverpool Year of Reading campaign. We know our third Readathon will create a real buzz about books and reading across the city’s schools and #DEARLiverpool on World Book Day 5 March is something we’d love all children, teachers and the wider community to join in with – regardless of sponsorship.”
Money raised will be used for school libraries and by the charities to fund their work in Liverpool, including Read for Good’s mobile bookcase and resident storyteller at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The first two Liverpool Readathons raised more than £33,000.
How to Train Your Dragon’s author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell is hosting an event for primary schools at The Epstein Theatre on Wednesday 4 March and then visiting Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the afternoon.
Read for Good’s storyteller, Wilf Merttens will inspire older children at two secondary school events on Tuesday 10 March.
There’s still time for more schools to sign-up – email liverpool@readforgood.org
For more information visit: http:readforgood.org/dearliverpool
