The City of Readers team are joining Culture Liverpool in their plans to remember August 1914 and have planned literary and Giant themed events for all ages during the week of the arrival of Giant Spectacular.
On Thursday 24th July members of the public can prepare for the Giant Spectacular story to unfold in the city at the Giants’ Prelude. This literary themed event – to be held at Central Library and St John’s Gardens, 10.30am-2.30pm – will give visitors a chance to attend storytelling sessions to explore a range of prose and poetry, plus a number of book characters on stilts will be wandering through the paths of St John’s Gardens.
On Friday 25th July at Newsham Park, City of Readers will be hosting a Giants’ Bedtime Read, where visitors can listen to stories, letters and poetry read aloud throughout the evening and soak up a unique atmosphere. The itinerary for this event is as follows:
8.30pm: The Best of the BFG
Family storytelling for ages 5-10, bring your own copy of the BFG, dress up and bring a teddy.
9.30pm: Letters of love
Listen to readings of letters sent in WW1 in partnership with PALS. This will include 20 minutes of reading, followed by some time to informally share stories.
10.15pm: Performance Poetry
Hear local young people perform poetry on the mood during World War One and the impact it continues to have, 100 years on.
Mayoral lead for reading, Councillor Lana Orr, said: “People are really looking forward to the return of the Giants for Memories of August 1914, and the events that we are putting on will showcase fantastic literature and encourage a love of reading for both young and old.”
All activities will be held outdoors, so please wrap up warm and bring blankets or folding chairs. There will also be a reading café in Newsham Adult Learning Centre throughout the evening.
In anticipation of the arrival of the Giants, the City of Readers team have provided a list of Giant themed story recommendations below for readers to enjoy:
Harry Potter series – JK Rowling
Two Giants – Michael Foreman
Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathon Swift
The Iron Man – Ted Hughes
The Iron Woman – Ted Hughes
