Read Manchester’s first See Myself in Books Festival will run from 17 to 30 March 2025. Lots of exciting events are planned involving diverse authors, including a free Family Fun Day at the National Football Museum on 22 March, details here

The festival aims to inspire reading through increasing access to diverse books in schools and libraries. Children and young people are more likely to enjoy reading a book if they can relate to the characters. They are then likely to read more often, helping to build vital reading skills and bringing wider benefits for wellbeing, confidence and learning.

Take a look at these events coming up in local libraries. Make your own pop-up book at Beswick Library. Or join artist Mandy at Didsbury Library to make plant pots from odd socks. At Gorton Library get involved in some interactive story-telling with Afrocats. While at Withington Library you can make a fantastic clay peg doll.

Click the ‘More Info’ button to find out more about all the events that are happening.