Welcome to the SLS Celebration of Reading 2024

We are pleased to welcome back our Celebration of Reading for a second year with even more events than last year! All of these events will be live and children will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A sessions with the authors and illustrators.

Our Celebration of Reading events are free to all SLS-subscribing schools.

Non-subscribing schools are welcome to attend at a price of £25 per event per school. If a non-subscribing school commits to attending all five events they will be charged £100 in total. One ticket permits all classes in the same school to attend the selected event. NB. Submission of the form is a commitment to purchase a ticket for all events selected. Payment will be taken via journal transfer.

Please complete this form to book your class a ticket for each event that you wish to attend. Links to your selected Zoom events will be emailed directly to you closer to the time.

Celebration of Reading 2024 Events

Meet the Poet: John Bond

Monday 17th June 2.00 - 2.30 p.m.

Worthing-based author and illustrator, John Bond, is well-known for his distinctive artistic style which can be seen in his popular picture book trilogy 'Mini Rabbit.' John's most recent picture book, 'Much too Busy' was also long-listed for the SLS West Sussex Picture Books to Shout About! Award 2023-24. Alongside creating his own picture books, John Bond also illustrates for other authors including Peter Bently.

Meet the Author: Harry Heape

Wednesday 19th June 2.00 - 2.30 p.m.

Harry Heape is the author of two hilarious adventure series for lower key-stage 2 readers. The Indiana Bones series, follows an intrepid young explorer and his human companion as they traverse the globe solving mysteries. Harry's first duology Shiny Pippin introduces readers to a young girl with an extraordinary superpower as she solves mysteries with her crime-fighting granny.

Meet the Author: Clara Vulliamy

Thursday 20th June 2.00 - 2.30 p.m.

Clara Vulliamy is the author and illustrator of many picture books and stories for younger readers. Her first illustrated chapter book series Dixie O'Day was created in collaboration with her mother, Shirley Hughes. Clara is also the author and her illustrator of the popular Dotty Detective series and Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar series.

Meet the Author: Liz Flanagan

Wednesday 26th June 2.00 - 2.30 p.m.

Liz Flanagan is the award-winning author of stories for primary-aged children. Liz is known for her dragon-based fantasy series Legends of the Sky for upper KS2 readers, which were re-issued last year by David Fickling books with new covers. Most recently, her new illustrated series Wildsmith, for younger readers, has been shortlisted for many awards including the UKLA Awards 2024 and The Week Junior Book Awards 2023.

Meet the Author: Justyn Edwards

Friday 28th June 2.00 - 2.30 p.m.

Justyn Edwards is the author of the popular chapter book series for upper KS2 readers featuring protagonist, Flick Lions who enters a television competition for young magicians. Except, she isn't there to win. Flick is trying to uncover the mystery that has destroyed her family and how the acclaimed illusionist The Great Fox is involved. The first book in the trilogy, The Great Fox Illusion, was shortlisted for many prizes and awards. The final book in the series, The Great Fox Revealed is due to be released in October 2024.

West Sussex SLS 25% Book Purchase Scheme

Copies of books by each author may be purchased via our Book Purchase Scheme. The Book Purchase Scheme provides SLS-subscribing schools with a 25% discount on the cover price of every book purchased and, for an additional fee, extra servicing to be applied including book jackets and AR labels where necessary. For more information, please contact sls@westsussex.gov.uk. to find out how to access your account today!

For queries regarding these author events please email frances.trimming@westsussex.gov.uk

Please scroll down to complete the order form.

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