Performance Poetry Event

Live event hosted by John Hegley at the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, Thursday December 1 at 7.45. Tickets £8.50/£4.25 from 08703 800400. Poets will perform before a judging panel in the first of these awards by the Arts Foundation.

Story

A new website has been set up by the Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, Booktrust and Scottish Book Trust to celebrate the short story, covering everything from reading, writing and listening to them to events, competitions, workshops and projects. It also contains a full bibliography of short stories and tips from writers, agents and publishers on what makes a great story.
www.theshortstory.org.uk

Meet the authors

This is a series of 15-minute programmes to support English for 7-11 year olds, due to be broadcast weekly on BBC School Radio in summer 2006. The programmes feature eight of Britain's most popular children's authors being interviewed by children about their life and work: Anne Fine, Eva Ibbotson, Michael Morpurgo, Philip Ridley, Jeremy Strong, Jacqueline Wilson, Valerie Bloom and Brian Patten. The programmes will be available online for one week after broadcast. Schools can also order hard copies and download transcripts.

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio

Children's Poetry Bookshelf Relaunch

The Poetry Book Society has relaunched its Children's Poetry Bookshelf, a book club for children aged 7-11. The club aims to make the best children's poetry available to young readers in an exciting and enjoyable way. Support is provided for teachers and librarians, including activity sheets and posters, to encourage children to read and enjoy poetry. A new website provides fun activities for children and suggestions for adults on the best poetry to buy for children.

Visit www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk or contact the Poetry Book Society on 020 7833 9247.

Literary Events at the South Bank Centre

Lionel Shriver, author of the award-winning We need to talk about Kevin, will be talking on December 13th at 7:45 in the Purcell Room.

Sarah Waters is the award-winning author of three novels set in Victorian London, including the best-selling Fingersmith. She will be speaking at the Purcell Room on January 31st to promote her forthcoming novel set in 1940s Britain, The Night Watch.

Tickets for both events are £8.50 and are available onine at http://www.rfh.org.uk or by phoning 0870 382 8000.

Youth Festival 2005

The French Institute in London is hosting "a three-day celebration of children's books dedicated to young people aged 3 to 18. Taking part are some of the greatest French and British authors and illustrators, who children can come and meet for free." It takes place from from November 23 to 25. Speakers will include, on the English side, Michael Morpurgo, Quentin Blake and Philip Ardagh. For full details visit the Institut Francais website or telephone 020 7073 1350.

BOOK AWARDS ROUNDUP

This has been a busy week for children's book awards.

The Booktrust Teenage Prize winner for this year was announced: Century, by Sarah Singleton. The award recognises the best contemporary teenage fiction, celebrating the most significant books aimed at 13-16 year olds each year. Century was described by the judges as "a perfectly formed, highly visual and intriguing novel in the gothic tradition, with the timeless feel of Frankenstein or Dracula." [READ MORE]

The Whitbread Book Award shortlists were announced on Wednesday. Its nominations for children's book of the year are Framed, by Frank Cottrell Boyce; The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean; Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay; and The New Policeman by Kate Thompson.

Askews Torchlight Award has announced a shortlist which displayed "a wide variety of writing styles and genres". This is one of the few awards where the winner is decided by young readers, and schools and libraries are encouraged to send votes in by post or email. The closing date for voting is Friday 31st March 2006 at noon, with the winner being announced on Monday 3rd April 2006. Full details are on their website.

And finally, the winners of the Blue Peter Book Awards were announced yesterday: winner of the 'Book I couldn't put down' category and overall winner was Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful.

To keep up to date with book awards, click on the 'Award Winning Books' link on the library home page.