The Federation of Children Book groups is a national voluntary
organisation whose aim is to promote enjoyment and interest
in children's books and reading from pre-school to the teenage
years. The Federation liaises with schools, playgroups,
publishers, libraries and other official bodies to provide
a meeting point for children, parents and professionals.
There are 30 groups around the country from Dundee to West
Wales, Plymouth to Ipswich. Each group is different but
in most cases you will find visits from authors, illustrators,
poets and storytellers. Groups become an important part
of their local community, going into schools, playgroups,
nurseries and hospitals. They also organise book sharing
events, family reading groups and larger events such as
book days, weeks or local festivals.
In addition the Federation organises national events:
The Red House Children's Book Award
- an opportunity for children to vote on their favourite
books published in one calendar year. Groups take books
into schools, playgroups and to individual families. A final
Top Ten is drawn up and children are invited to the award
ceremony in June, where they get to meet many of their favourite
authors, and the winner is announced.
National Share a Story Month
- this takes place in May each year, when each group is
encouraged to organise events around a specific theme. In
2006 we supported Jacqueline Wilson's Reading Aloud campaign
with a launch event in Reading attended by over 300 children,
parents and carers, who had the opportunity to hear Jacqueline
and also Malorie Blackman talk about the books they have
enjoyed reading with their families. In 2007 we will be
working with Usborne books around a theme of historical
houses.
A national conference - in
addition to various one day conferences across the country.
Book group meetings, particularly evening meetings, bring
families together - including members of the extended family.
Parents and children will often read the same book so that
they can enjoy the event together.
By attending these events young people meet like-minded
peers, and in some schools this has helped the transition
from primary to secondary. By attending author events while
still at primary school, pupils are encouraged to build
friendships with secondary students - and realise reading
is 'cool.' It also gives secondary teachers the opportunity
to build relationships with parents and get them involved,
and enables students to meet authors and illustrators with
whom they would otherwise not engage.
In September 2006 nearly all our groups participated in
local Roald Dahl Day events, to mark what would have been
the author's 90th birthday. Events took place in local libraries,
schools and community centres, with children and parents
joining in games and activities based on the Roald Dahl
books. Children and adults dressed up as their favourite
characters, and tea included all sorts of Dahl-esque creations
- witches' fingers, BFG ears and tongue rakers. Most of
the food was yellow!
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