Look for a Book challenge returns during May half-term

Konnie Huq. Image courtesy of Lara Downie

Manchester’s Festival of Libraries will be opening a new chapter this summer, with writers, artists, musicians and poets preparing to fill the region’s 133 libraries with performances, trails, talks and crafts, with a huge part of the programme designed to be Family Friendly.

Getting in on the page turning action first, the Look for a Book challenge takes place during the May half term holidays from Monday, May 27 to Sunday, June 2.

Hidden in and around the green spaces of Manchester’s libraries will be 500 copies of Konnie Huq’s Fearless Fairy Tales lying in wait to be found.

Fifty of the books will be hidden in all of Oldham's 12 libraries for everyone to find.

In this shake up of classic tales you won’t meet damsels in distress, instead you will be captivated by characters like Sleeping Brainy, whose dream is to become the Chancellor of the Exchequer!

Those that follow the clues will get a copy of the book and they will also have the chance to meet Konnie during the festival and find out more about her writing and days as a Blue Peter presenter (1997-2008).

Konnie said: “I’m thrilled that Fearless Fairy Tales is off on a great adventure of its own around Greater Manchester’s green and community spaces for Look For A Book!

"I'm proud to be supporting libraries, this is such a fun way to share the range of services and activities they offer.

"Good luck treasure hunters and I look forward to seeing the winners in June!”.

Look For A Book is the introduction to Festival of Libraries, which sees Greater Manchester’s entire library network put on a programme of exciting and celebratory activities from Wednesday, June 12 to Sunday, June 16.

All of the libraries across Greater Manchester are taking part; from historic and internationally renowned libraries like Central Library, The Portico and John Rylands Research Institute and Library to the A to Z of community libraries, which take you from Abraham Moss Library to Z-Arts Children’s Library. Every activity in the programme is free to take part in and the full programme is available at:

Festival of Libraries’ partners include: Archives+, Central Library, Chetham’s Library, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Poetry Library, NHS Libraries, The Portico Library, Working Class Movement Library, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Institute Cervantes Library and Greater Manchester libraries (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan).

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