Pupils will enjoy a face-to-face visit from a host of top children’s authors when the Ormsgill Book Festival takes place this month.

Award-winning authors Ross Montgomery, Dom Conlon and Jenni Spangler will join respected local storyteller Ian Douglas for the event at Ormsgill School on June 29th.

Organiser Laura Reid is the school’s Year 3 teacher and lead for maths and ICT, set up the event five years ago to share her passion for literature and inspire all her students to read.

She said pupils from primary schools across the area had been invited to the event with a fantastic buzz expected on the day.

“We have more amazing authors visiting this year with the children excited to meet all the wonderful storytellers.

“The day really does get children enthused about reading, or reading more, this in turn supports all their learning. With the added bonus of showing our children that authors are normal people, with great ideas and have turned their talent into a career.

“Sharing stories as a school community is invaluable and the shared experiences help bring the staff together with the pupils.

Dom Conlon, is a Carnegie Medal-nominated poetry and picture book author, Jenni Spangler writes magical books with a dark side while Ross Montgomery, who was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award, will be returning to Barrow after last visiting the school four years ago.

Pupils from Ormsgill School, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, will be joined by those from Sacred Heart, St. George’s, Victoria Academy, South Walney Juniors and Cambridge Primary. 

Laura Reid won a Love Barrow Award in 2022 for her work to set up the Ormsgill Book Festival.

For more information or to ask about places for pupils at the festival contact laurareid@ormsgill.cumbria.sch.uk