BfK News: January 1987

‘The Great Book Event Competition ’87’

That’s what the CBW team are announcing this January as part of the annual children’s book festival held in October. And quite a competition it looks to be too. £42,000 divided into £3,000 lots for 14 separate regions. As far as we know this must rate as one of the largest sums of money yet made available to teachers, librarians and children’s book groups – in fact anyone who wants to put on a really ambitious children’s book event during the autumn. To win, mind you, you’re going to have to put in a fair amount of effort, and fast. The closing date for entries is 30 March 1987.

What the CBW organisers are looking for are the best plans for a week-long Children’s Book Week event. The winners, one from each of the 14 regions (see map). will receive £3,000 each (immediately – now that’s impressive, isn’t it?) and pretty fulsome practical support from the CBW team as you put your winning plans into effect.

You have to produce detailed plans for a day-by-day programme with imaginative and original ideas, combined with a convincing demonstration that you have the resources and the organisation. You need to be able to involve at least 2,500 children, which means you’re obviously going to have to get teamed up with other schools, libraries, colleges, etc. in your area. CBW also want you to involve a bookseller, rough out publicity plans, name your location and produce an expenditure budget.

As we said, quite a competition! For fuller details, either see if this copy of Books for Keeps still has its CBW ’87 competition leaflet or write to Bob Cattell, Children’s Book Week, Book Trust, 45 East Hill, London SW 18 2QZ (tel: 01-874 6361 or 01-870 9055).

We hope to report on the full CBW ’87 plans in the March issue of Books for Keeps.

Cornwall Children’s Book Fair

27 and 28 February, Richard Lander School, Truro. Pat Hutchins, Jan Needle, Jan Mark, John Ryan, Jane Gardam -just a few of the authors and artists who will be at the 1987 Cornwall Children’s Book Fair. Always an exciting event with lots for children to do and see, including a huge book exhibition, it looks like being even better than ever this year.