Children’s Laureate author Joseph Coelho to visit North End library by bike in ‘library marathon’ tour

Joseph Coelho , who was named Waterstones Children’s Laureate in 2022, will take out a book from a library in every local authority in the UK on his ‘Library Marathon’ tour. The ambitious project aims to encourage people, young and old, to join their local library. Coelho will travel between Portsmouth and Plymouth on his ‘bamboo bike’, stopping at Southampton , Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset, and Torquay libraries during the trip.

He is scheduled to arrive at North End Library in Gladys Avenue, Portsmouth at 9. 30am on June 14. NOW READ: Things to do in Portsmouth and Hampshire: Here are 13 things to do in a swimming costume in and around the area The celebrated author will cycle across the South West on his ‘bamboo bicycle’.

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‘I’m immensely grateful to libraries and the services they provide, so I want to use my platform as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate to champion these essential launchpads of learning. I want to hug every library, these miraculous institutions where new horizons line the shelves, where minds go to grow. ’ Coelho has now visited 165 libraries across the UK as part of his tour.

At his visit to the South West libraries in June, he will register for a library card, borrow a book, as well as read to and perform for the children in the library. Additionally, Coelho will pop into local Waterstones branches along his South West route to sign copies of his books. Following the completion of his bicycle tour, Coelho will return to the region in July to fully complete his South West schedule, with planned visits to Cornwall, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The ‘Library Marathon’ will culminate in a special, public event at the British Library to mark National Libraries Week 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust added: ‘Libraries are essential community hubs for children and families and with the current cost of living crisis, can offer a safe and warm space, packed full of fabulous books that will inspire children of all ages on their reading journeys. NOW READ: 11 of the best summer walks in and near the Portsmouth area ‘Sharing stories and reading together with children has been proven to bring children wide-ranging benefits that can positively affect their lives.

If Joseph’s Library Marathon has inspired you to visit your own local library, talk to the librarians – they are experts and can support you to find books and stories that you and your child will enjoy reading together. ’ Coelho’s other campaigns as a reading advocate include the ‘Poetry Prompts’ weekly online series, which celebrates the power of poetry in all its forms, and ‘Bookmaker Like You’, which aims to showcase a diversity of new talent within the book industry so that every child can see themselves as a bookmaker. Related topics: Portsmouth Libraries British Library Southampton.