Revealed: Brighton and Hove's '˜Big Read' for young children

A pair of crime-fighters determined to foil a dastardly plan in a circus are the stars of 2015's 'Big Read'.

A pair of crime-fighters determined to foil a dastardly plan in a circus are the stars of 2015's 'Big Read' book for children.

William Sutcliffe's Circus of Thieves and the Raffle of Doom has been selected for the Young City Reads project, which chooses one book to be read and explored by children across the city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The project culminates on May 20 with a Brighton Festival event at which the author will be present, with David Tazzyman, the book's illustrator.

Mr Sutcliffe - who has had success with adult fiction books, including Are You Experienced, and a book for young adults called The Wall - said: 'I'm thrilled to be chosen for Young City Reads, and not just because I like any excuse to visit Brighton.

'An initiative like this, that encourages children and adults to enjoy books together, and that gathers a community to enjoy the written word in a spirit of inter-generational fun, is exactly what every children's book writer dreams of participating in.'

The book tells the funny and heartwarming tale of Hannah, whose life is boring, boring, boring...until she meets Billy Shank, with his astonishing camel - called Narcissus - and a host of other bizarrely brilliant members of the circus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Young City Reads was set up in 2013 by Collected Works CIC, the Brighton-based social enterprise, and has become a regular fixture in the Brighton Festival calendar.

Sarah Hutchings, the organisation's artistic director, said: 'Young City Reads is all about the joy of reading and the pure pleasure of taking a little longer over a book and discussing it with your friends, your teacher, your parents or your grandparents.'

Primary schools that agree to read the book in class are being invited to register for free at www.cityreads.co.uk.

Participating classes will receive quizzes, puzzles and activities about the book.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: 'The written word plays a very important role in this year's full programme of events, and Sutcliffe's tale of a truly unique '“ and incredibly mischievous '“ circus promises to be a great fit.'

The Young City Reads project launches on World Book Day (March 5) at Jubilee Library. For further updates, follow @youngcityreads and #YCR2015 for further updates. Visit: www.cityreads.co.uk

Related topics: