The conference was chaired by the Guardian’s Children’s Books editor Julia Eccleshare. Piers Torday, winner of the Guardian’s Children’s Fiction Prize 2014 and author of The Last Wild trilogy, talked about writing for pleasure. Annabel Pitcher author of My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece and Ketchup Clouds, which won Waterstones Children’s book of the year 2013, discussed writing for teenagers. Louise Kanolik of Loxford School described ways of maintaining momentum in a school with a strong focus on reading for pleasure.
There were sessions led by teachers as well as good practice workshops on reading for pleasure in schools delivered by speakers, teachers, Charles Dickens Museum, English PEN, The House of Illustration and educational professionals.
The conference explored ideas for promoting enjoyment and engagement in reading, raising achievement, strategies to encourage whole school wider reading, the writing process and what makes a good children’s book, the importance of illustration and drawing in reading for pleasure, being creative with books and working with cultural organisations that promote a love of reading and sharing good practice.
You can download a write up of the speaker sessions and workshops by clicking on the link below.
Reading for pleasure 20 March 2015 conference notes
