News from the United Kingdom

On Friday, June 25th, I found two tidbits of UK kidlit news that I would like to share with you here.

Manchester Children's Book Festival (July 1st - 4th, 2010)

This event is the first of its kind to take place in the northwest of England.

Can't make it to the festival? Regardless of where you live in the world, you can still be a part of the event by participating in its Readathon.

Here is a list of U.K. children's poets who will be participating at the festival: John Agard, Gillian Clarke, Mandy Coe, Jackie Kay, Grace Nichols, Michael Rosen, and Carol Ann Duffy (the festival director).

More on Carol Ann Duffy:

Duffy is the UK poet laureate. In May 2009, she was named to this position which she will hold for ten years. Duffy is the first woman and Scot to hold the position as well as the first laureate to be selected in the 21st century.

Children's Poet Laureate in Wales

On June 2nd, 2010, author and bard Dewi 'Pws' Morris was named as the Children's Poet Laureate of Wales.

In the one-year position, he will work to raise the profile of poetry amongst young people and to encourage them to create and enjoy poetry.

Not only is he a member of the Welsh bardic team, Crannog, he is a singer, actor, and TV presenter as well. He hails from Treboeth in Swansea and now lives in Tresaith, Ceredigion.

To find out more about Morris and his appointment to the position, click here for a BBC news report written in Welsh and click here for a BBC news report written in English.

Twm Morys is the outgoing Wales Children's Poet Laureate.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Poetry is my travel diary that shows I've been in a state of wonder."

-- Juanita Havill, U.S. picture book author