Look for a Book
Shekina Rose, Families Editor
Blast off into family fun at Manchester’s Festival of Libraries, returning in 2025 with an out-of-this-world line-up. From Wednesday 4 June to Sunday 8 June, libraries across Greater Manchester will be buzzing with free family-friendly events, from games and performances to arts and crafts, exhibitions, storytelling trails, and more, all themed on space, stars, and stories…
To kick things off, the festival launches the Look for a Book challenge – and this year, it’s gone galactic! Teaming up with renowned space scientist and author Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, families are invited to join a treasure hunt like no other.
From Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June (just in time for half-term), 500 copies of Maggie’s book Am I Made of Stardust? will be hidden across the city, in places like local libraries and parks in Spinningfields, the People’s History Museum and even the Bee Network. Keep your eyes peeled and your clues to hand…
Solve riddles and follow the clues, and (this is the best bit) the lucky winners will have the chance to meet Dame Maggie in person during the festival! Maggie has an incredible list of achievements – she was the first Black woman to receive a gold medal in the Physics News Award, has presented on CBeebies, and was celebrated with her own Barbie doll in recognition of her efforts to inspire girls to pursue careers in science.
The Festival of Libraries, supported by Arts Council England, features an amazingly packed programme that celebrates the library network’s (all 133 of them!) full offer, looking at wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and, of course, reading and books! The festival offers a special opportunity to show your children and remind yourselves, as adults, just how magical libraries can be. It’s a celebration of stories, creativity and community and – to top it off – all the activities taking place within it are completely free.
So pack your imaginations, grab your space boots, and get ready to discover the galaxy of wonders waiting in your local library, starting with Look for a Book….
