I spy with my London Eye

250 schoolchildren will be joining Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen on a flight on the London Eye to help launch Children’s Book Week (6th to 10th October).

Children’s Book Week is taking place from 6-10th October with events across the country. This year’s theme is Rhythm and Rhyme.

And this very special week is being launched in a spectacular way: 250 children have been invited to take a flight on the London Eye with Michael Rosen, and each child will be provided with writing materials when boarding the capsules.

After the flight, Michael will join the children at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre where he will lead them in writing a group poem about the London Eye.

Reading for pleasure

Children’s Book Week, now in its 77th year, is a celebration of reading for pleasure for children of primary school age. It is organised by Booktrust, which this year has already distributed free teachers’ packs, including their Best Books guides, around all state primary schools, public libraries, special schools and initial teacher training institutions.

The last day of Children’s Book Week, Friday 10th October, is known as National Bookstart Day – a celebration of the Bookstart programme which gives three packs of free books to every child in the UK, to encourage parents and carers to share books with their children from a very young age.

Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, said:

“Children’s Book Week is a great opportunity for everyone who cares about children’s books to fire up children to read and talk about books. Schools can make a special place in the curriculum to discover how books can give pleasure, enlightenment and pause for thought. Libraries can focus on how best to get children through their doors to enjoy the treasure houses nearby.

“This year’s launch will see us sailing up in the air on the London Eye to be inspired by the magnificent sight of our great city and to write a special Children’s Book Week poem for London. I know that seeing London laid out in front of us will spark off thoughts and memories for a poem that can be sent back into the air over the city.”

20 top Literacy Time PLUS resources

Looking for practical ideas for Children’s Book Week? We have compiled a list of 20 top Literacy Time PLUS resources on the theme of Rhythm and Rhyme.