“The project encourages children to read novels they would not normally venture into.

It stretches the most able readers and the discussions that follow support those children who find reading more of a challenge.

If anyone wants to bring reading to life in their school then SIGN UP FOR BOOKFEST now!” 

Jackie Hampson, Head Teacher at Castlefields Primary School, Bridgnorth

The Big Book Award: 

A child-led reading development project delivered into Shropshire primary schools to find the book published in the previous two years that children aged 9 – 11 years old love the most.  

The first Book Award project in 2010 was an immediate and overwhelming success, so we have run the project every two years since then.  We have developed its scope and widened its reach each time.

Work is underway NOW to launch the Big Book Award project for 2020.  If your school would like to find out more about how to get involved, please get in touch with the Bookfest team here

The Picture Book Award:  

This project was delivered in 2018 in response to demand from the education sector in Shropshire, to follow the aims and ideals (i.e. to generate a love of reading for younger children) of the established Big Book Award, this time focusing on Years 1 and 2 (children aged 6 to 7 years old).  The Picture Book Award followed the aim to generate a love of reading for younger children and to provide a platform to inspire and influence younger pupils.  A ‘buddy reading system’ was be implemented where KS2 readers help KS1 readers throughout this project.

From June 2018, Shrewsbury Bookfest distributed hundreds of copies of the four shortlisted titles to 17 primary schools across Shropshire who signed up to the project, The Picture Book Award 2018.  Over 600 children read, commented on and voted for their favourite picture book.  

Work is underway NOW to launch the Picture Book Award project for 2020.  If your school would like to find out more about how to get involved, please get in touch with the Bookfest team here

Take a look at this short film that was made during Book Award 2018…