Children's Laureate stars at 'Wonder of Reading' day

“Magic is not the same as lying, the point of which is to deceive. The point of magic is to wonder!”

With these words, children from Liverpool greeted author Frank Cottrell-Boyce at an event at LJMU, quoting the Children’s Laureate from his own book, The Wonder Brothers.

The primary schoolers came to LJMU’s School of Education to enjoy a day of reading, writing and speaking to celebrate the transformative power of reading for pleasure.

Titled The Wonder of Reading with Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the event was hosted in partnership with Liverpool Learning Partnership* and attended by Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Barbara Murray.

Frank, born in Kirkdale, Liverpool, is author of Cosmic, Millions and Runaway Robot and with helped devise the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.

After hearing children performing from his book, Frank encouraged the young audience to recount their own stories from primary school and also wowed them with some magic tricks of his own.

“You’ve all got an amazing imagination,” he said; a theme echoed by Cllr Murray, who has literacy as her chosen mayoral charitable focus. Her chosen causes include the Liverpool Literacy Cycle, in which both LJMU and LLP are involved.

The Mayor said: “We’ve been speaking with new mums in Anfield this morning because we want babies to start to learn literacy.” And asking children about reading, she emphasised that while it was essential to learn, reading or writing for pleasure was an amazing way to experience other places, people and feelings.

As part of the day, children were able to work with LJMU trainee teachers on courses such as the PGCE Primary. LJMU library staff led by Jackie Fealey, also showed the wonders of a library!

Dr Elizabeth Parr, Head of Primary Programmes at LJMU, said: “Access to reading is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve education, promote social justice, and transform life chances. By involving our student teachers in this event, we’re helping to shape future educators who understand the life-changing impact of literacy.”

Elizabeth van de Waal, CEO of Liverpool Learning Partnership, said: "Through stories and reading, children not only develop essential literacy skills but also discover empathy, resilience, and a sense of belonging. That’s why we’re passionate about making reading a meaningful part of everyday life, both in and beyond the classroom."

Each child attending received a free book and a specially designed leaflet to encourage family reading at home.

Liverpool Learning Partnership (LLP) is a grassroots education charity which works with 130 schools to prioritise the wellbeing of learners. It was set up by schools to protect the voice and needs of learners and ensure their wellbeing. Its main objective is to release potential and improve the life chances of Liverpool’s children and young people, by delivering artistic, cultural, and learning projects that support children and young people to achieve and thrive. LLP also leads on the citywide work on Whole School Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing.