An author from Ashton-under-Lyne is on a mission to inspire children’s love of reading.

Last year, Leanne Brown penned ‘Daniel’s Dream’, the first in a series of books focused on normalising the conversation around mental health issues in children.  

She’ll be sharing an extract from her book at a free online children’s book festival that runs from June 26-27.  

The festival is hosted by Independent Thinking, an organisation changing education by encouraging children to think of their learning as more than a prospective exam grade.  

During the two-day event, Leanne will be joined by many other children’s book authors who are going to read and explain their work for 20 minutes. Not just for parents and kids, educators and professionals can sign up to see what new books are out there to help children.  

Leanne added: “This is a positive opportunity for children to engage with reading for pleasure. With an ever-changing world and children’s mental health on a catastrophic rise, it is important to give them something to focus on, something that will help their wellbeing and something which will encourage reading for pleasure.  

“The itinerary is so amazing that it would be a real shame if any child missed out on the opportunity to take part in such a great book festival.” 

The event is accessible over Zoom and available to everyone for free.  

Book tickets at www.independentthinking.co.uk/itl-online/childrens-book-festival 

Leanne is also involved in an online summer reading challenge with Kiddy Charts that starts on July 1.  

Children are invited to enter the challenge by selecting books from a prescribed list. The books on offer are each linked to emotions, feelings and emotional wellbeing.  

By the end of the programme, children will have finished six books and improved their grasp of mental health. They’ll also receive an activity pack, focusing on what they’ve learnt.  

Leanne said: “It has been such a privilege to play such a key role in the creation of the Be Well Read Project. Any project that encourages the improvement of children’s mental health gets my attention. The response to the project so far has been so positive, encouraging, and enthusiastic. 

“If children can complete this project, then that means that we will have hopefully influenced hundreds of children, right up to young adults, to read books focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. Something which everyone needs right now.” 

To get involved go to www.kiddycharts.com 

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