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Community Services
More than 5,000 children and young people in Leicestershire have been inspired by a project set up to encourage their creativity and love of books.
Known as Behind the Book, around 36 schools and 20 libraries hosted visits by authors, illustrators and poets who had been invited by the children.
The scheme is run by the County Council’s Library Services for Education as part of Find Your Talent, a Government-backed scheme to involve county children in five hours of cultural activities per week.
Children were asked to choose an author, book illustrator or poet to visit, meet with them and give them a flavour of what goes on ‘behind the book’. Local authors Bali Rai and Andy Cope were popular choices.
Andy’s Spydog series was inspired by his pet, Lara, who accompanied him on his visits.
Hedy Griffiths, library assistant from Market Bosworth High School, said: "The visit by Bali Rai sparked a lot of enthusiasm and some wonderful pieces of writing."
Maisie Bunting, aged 10, of Cossington Primary School, said: "Birmingham poet Spoz taught me how much fun poetry can be – and I’m much better at rhyming now."
Deb Horton, years one and two teacher from John Wycliffe Primary School in Lutterworth, said: "Picture book author Shoo Rayner inspired the children to write fabulous stories and draw their own illustrations."
Ernie White, Leicestershire’s Cabinet member for better places, said: "This project has allowed many children to realise that books are fun and that they too can write wonderful stories, perhaps creating some famous Leicestershire authors of the future."
For interviews, or to obtain photos of Andy Cope’s visits and examples of children’s art, please contact Deb Siviter on 0116 3053816.
Find Your Talent - www.leics.gov.uk/talent
Background:
Leicester and Leicestershire have been chosen to run one of 10 pathfinder projects as part of a national £25million Government programme called 'Find Your Talent'.
The aim is to involve Leicester and Leicestershire’s 230,000 children and young people in five hours of cultural activities per week - from film-making to museums.
This will be achieved by recruiting a team of Young Ambassadors who will work to devise and deliver cultural activities across the City and the County.
Led by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and Creative Partnerships, it is the largest of the 10 national schemes and the only one in the East Midlands. In the first instance, Find Your Talent is due to run in this area until March 2011.
Find Your Talent gives children and young people the chance to try out different cultural and creative activities. It's about helping them to discover new things, to express themselves, to develop a passion and to make the most of their talent.
Whether it is music, art, film, theatre, dance, digital media, exploring libraries, museums or heritage, Find Your Talent is for every child and young person, whatever their age and whatever their ability.
It aims to reach up to 230,000 young people in the area, including 100,000 people from hard-to-reach groups.
Find Your Talent is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Arts Council England and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Visit the Find Your Talent national website: www.findyourtalent.org
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