We are delighted to provide an update about Happy Here an anthology from 20 of our best Black British writers and illustrators.  Happy Here will form the focus of an exciting panel that closes the YLG Virtual Conference this year (details here) we are thrilled to have the chance to welcome Jasmine Richards, Yome Ṣode and Clare Weze in conversation with publisher Amée Felone.  Read below for an exciting update!

This week, every primary school in England will receive a free copy of Happy Here, a new anthology from 20 of our best Black British writers and illustrators.  Published by inclusive publisher Knights Of, Happy Here includes stories and poems which explore themes of joy, home and family through a wide range of genres and styles. The initiative is part of a wider long-term programme of research and activity led by the children’s reading charity BookTrust and The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) to empower changes in teaching practice and improve representation in children's literature and publishing.

Alongside this, BookTrust and CLPE are supporting schools with a range of resources and events designed to help teachers share a love of reading and writing with children and give them a rich and diverse learning experience by bringing inclusive and representative stories into the classroom:

·  All schools are invited to attend a free online event with celebrated children's author Joseph Coelho, hosted by BookTrust on 13th October as part of Black History Month.

·  CLPE are providing a free teaching sequence for Key Stage 2, to support schools in the study and enjoyment of Happy Here as part of their Literacy Curriculum.

·  CLPE will deliver online sessions for teachers to learn more about the importance of representation in the classroom. 

·  BookTrust has provided an additional 50 free copies of Happy Here to 100 schools with a minimum of 25% of pupils receiving free school meals.

The Happy Here initiative follows the publication in 2020 of BookTrust Represents’ Interim Research and CLPE’s annual Reflecting Realities Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature, which highlighted the under-representation of children’s authors and illustrators of colour, and of minority ethnic characters within children’s books, respectively.

Having the opportunity to engage with an author through a school visit inspires children by bringing their favourite stories and characters to life and also gives access to diverse role models. Schools are invited to sign up for a FREE virtual school session with Joseph Coelho on 13^th October visit https://www.booktrust.org.uk/happy-here

To sign up for CLPE’s FREE teaching sequence and to find out more about their online CPD to support the study and enjoyment of Happy Here visit https://clpe.org.uk/news/free-copy-happy-here-all-primary-schools-and-free-teaching-resources-and-cpd-partnership