Friday 1 October 2010

Children’s author and Friends member awards young Space Hop readers

Youngsters who took part in a summer reading programme were given medals by an award-winning children’s author at Cambridge’s Arbury Court Library yesterday (September 30).

Thousands of children spent this summer getting stuck into books as part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Space Hop reading programme, and a group of them turned up at Arbury Court Library yesterday to be rewarded for completing the challenge.

Youngsters who read at least six books over the summer were given certificates and medals, presented by children’s author Paul Shipton, who is also a member of Friends of Arbury Library (FOAL).

FOAL is currently campaigning to protect the branch while the county council undertakes its library service review, and last month, a 1,340-signature petition in support of the library was delivered to council officials.

Paul is no stranger to awards himself – one of his books, The Pig Who Saved The World, won the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize Bronze award in 2006. He also writes for younger readers under the pen name Paul Cooper.

Paul said: “It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic young readers who had all completed the library's Space Hop summer reading challenge.

“An event like this really highlights the invaluable role played by our local library and its wonderful staff.

“Along with the many signers of the Support the Library petition, I certainly hope that, in this time of service reviews and potential cuts, the council will take into account the passionate support for local libraries from their communities.”

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