To launch Book Week Scotland, divers read to the sharks at Deep Sea World
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Book Week Scotland, Scottish Book Trust are to deliver a week-long, Nationwide focus on books, reading and writing from 25 November to 1 December.
To launch the event, Mark Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust and two of Scotland’s fiction authors, Nick Sharratt and Shari Low, gave a short presentation outlining the aims of Book Week Scotland before two of Deep Sea World’s diving team, Lewis Jepson and Charli Corcoran, were ‘invited’ to read the sharks a wee story….
A diverse programme of book-related events will be held across the country, including National book parties, book give-aways and hundreds of celebrations in libraries hosted by Scotland’s best-loved authors.
Initiated by the Scottish Government and supported, along with a Readers in Residence programme in libraries, by £250,000 from Creative Scotland, Book Week Scotland will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust.
Highlights of the week will include:
Three free picture books gifted to every Primary 1 pupil in Scotland. The titles consist of the shortlist for the Scottish Children’s Book Awards 2013: Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb, What’s the Time Mr Wolf by Debi Gliori and Jumblebum by Chae Strathie and Ben Cort.
Over 400 book-related events in 349 different locations including pop-up book shops, an all night pyjama party in an art gallery, events in libraries and underground book mic nights in a nightclub.
150,000 free copies of Treasures, a short story and poem collection written by the people of Scotland, will be distributed through many channels including bookshops, libraries,VisitScotland visitor centres and the Royal Voluntary Service network. Well known contributors include John and Carole Barrowman, Mairi Hedderwick and Denise Mina.
The Ten Favourite Scottish Books will be announced at the end of Book Week Scotland.
Scottish children’s illustrator and author Mairi Hedderwick will bring her most famous character, Katie Morag, to life for children across Scotland during a special live broadcast in partnership with the BBC on 28 November.
Individuals, communities and organisations across Scotland will be encouraged to host a Big Book Bash to celebrate reading during Book Week Scotland. You can download an information pack from www.bookweekscotland.com
Think you know Scotland’s most inspiring reader, or most committed fan? Perhaps you know someone who likes to read in an unusual place? Nominate them at www.bookweekscotland.com to be a national Reading Hero.
Five large art installations will be unveiled in communities across Scotland to inspire reading.
