Neil MacInnes and Cllr Luthfur Rahman photographed in front of the TFGM Metrolink style map
Reading is like a journey – where will you go? This, the latest initiative from Read Manchester to promote reading across the city.
The campaign from Manchester City Council and the National Literacy Trust aims to promote reading for pleasure has joined forces with Transport for Greater Manchester to encourage children to try different authors and genres of books using the Metrolink map as inspiration.
The map, aimed at children aged 8-11, encourages children to read books from different lines by a wide variety of authors. For example they might hop on the School Tales line and then jump on to the Mystery and Magic line. By exploring the Metrolink inspired map, we offer a structured way for children to discover new books which will take them on new journeys in their imagination and experience, and develop a reading culture.
Every child in Years 5 and 6 in Manchester primary schools will receive a free copy of the map from Read Manchester. The books will be available to borrow from Manchester Libraries in physical or digital formats, and maps will also be available to download from readmanchester.org.uk.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, said: “Getting children reading for fun is essential in developing their literacy skills from an early age. With lots of other activities available for children, offering a structure which allows them to track their progress will help keep them engaged.
“Different genres are available as children work their way along the Metrolink Map, so no two books will ever seem the same and they will be offered the chance to discover and immerse themselves in an exciting range of stories.
“It has been brilliant to see the collective effort being put into this project from Read Manchester, Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester. I would like to thank all those involved for making such a positive contribution to young readers in Manchester.”
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “The map design is a great illustration of how diverse and amazing children’s literature is and how it can take them on a journey to different places in their imagination.
“I’m delighted that we are involved in such a positive project and showing children that reading is not only a vital life skill, but also a lot of fun too.”
Alice Birdwood, Literacy Communities Project Manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Transport for Greater Manchester to develop this reading map and look forward to our continued partnership. We hope it helps children to discover magical new worlds that inspire a love of reading and therefore transorm their chances in school and in life. We can’t wait to see which books children are inspired to borrow from the library!”
