Ipswich Children’s Book Group (ICBG) is celebrating 50 years of helping children to discover the joy of reading, arranging visits by renowned children’s authors and illustrators, and enabling greater access to books.
For many children, who may not have books at home, or have parents that are not confident readers, the group has played a vital role in igniting an interest in reading, giving access to books, and all that entails in the enjoyment of literature and the wider educational benefits. In the 50 years since inception, the lives and futures of thousands of children have been positively changed by helping to create opportunities they would not otherwise have had.
The group is best known for arranging events with authors, illustrators and storytellers. It has given children the opportunity to meet and hear their favourite stories by those who wrote them, and also introduce them to the artists that have brought the books to life.
In 2024 the book group launched the first Red Hat Reading Festival, which involved authors, illustrators and storytellers working with pupils and staff in Stoke and Chantry schools to celebrate and promote the joy of books and reading. 1,700 children were involved. Funding was secured to run the festival again in 2025, working with different schools, and ICBG is now looking forward to running Red Hat in 2026 and beyond.
‘Looking back through the archives brings back memories of events with Philippa Pearce, James Mayhew, Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell, Korky Paul, Jonathan Stroud, Kes Gray, Kate Rolfe, Tracey Corderoy and Onjali Q. Rauf, to name just a few’, says Ann Cloke who has played a vital role in running the group in recent years.
‘We had action packed adventure with Chris Ryan and Andy McNab, piratical fun with Justin Somper and hilarity with the Two Steves (Skidmore and Barlow). And a highlight for many was celebrating the publication of Not Bad for A Bad Lad at the Suffolk Punch Centre at Hollesley with Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman,’
‘Many times we have received messages from schools saying our events have created engagement with books that didn’t previously exist’, says Ann.
Pupils attending a school visit by an author, illustrator or poet is recognised as life-changing for some children by providing both inspiration and aspiration, and often results in children acquiring creative interests outside of reading and writing.
One of the group’s earliest visitors was Kevin Crossley-Holland, award-winning writer, poet, folklorist and Anglo Saxon expert.
‘Kevin is a spellbinding storyteller, and has become a regular speaker and supporter,’ says ICGB secretary, Jayne Gould. ‘We are honoured, although rather sad, that Kevin has chosen to bring his touring years to a close with a final visit to ICBG. This will take place on Thursday April 30, at 7pm, fittingly in the shadow of the replica Sutton Hoo ship being built at the Longshed in Woodbridge.’
The group was established in1976 by local teacher Marjorie Taylor, after she read about the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, a network of grassroot groups that aimed to spread the word about the pleasure of reading, as well as helping families, teachers and librarians to discover great books for children. Marjorie is delighted that the group is still thriving, and hopes to join members at the 50th anniversary celebration event on Saturday, May 16, at Ipswich County Library.
From the start the group quickly attracted a wide membership, including school and public librarians, booksellers, local authors and illustrators, as well as parents and teachers.
The ICBG scrapbooks of photographs and press cuttings reveal a wide range of activities from author visits, storytelling sessions, book fairs, quizzes, writing competitions and reading stories to children in hospital, to meetings, newsletters, providing advice, information, the creation of book lists, and distributing children’s book review magazines.
ICBG is now one of the longest established members of the FCBG, and is a testing group for the Children’s Book Award, the only national book award based solely on the views of children. ICBG also has hosted two federation conferences, at Southwold in 2003 and Culford in 2013. The Conference will be returning to Culford School in 2027, with ICBG again involved in its organisation.
The group’s programme for the next few years is already looking full, and there is every prospect that it will be celebrating another anniversary in 50 years time.
N.B.
For several years, DBS at CAS has supported organisations by ensuring the appropriate DBS checks are in place for their work, including being recently appointed by Ipswich Children’s Book Group. The range of checking available has enabled the group to adhere to the regulations that schools have in place, ensured safeguarding needs are met, and with no disruption.
