Multi award-winning children's author Joseph Coelho headlines this exciting day for young readers from all over the area in Sedbergh.

The Book Town Takeover event is taking place in Sedbergh today, Tuesday 18th March.  It is organised by the Carnegie Medals, the UK’s longest running and best-loved children’s book awards and hosted by Sedbergh School.

The event will focus on celebrating outstanding books, reading and storytelling, with free sessions designed for primary and secondary school groups. 

Former Children's Laureate and 2024 Carnegie Medal for Writing winner, Joseph Coelho, is joined by guest authors and illustrators from this year's awards' short and long lists. 

Joseph Coelho is a best-selling, multi-award winning children’s playwright and author of over 50 books. His The Boy Lost in The Maze was the winner of the 2024 Carnegie Medal for writing and has received international acclaim appearing on the White Raven Book list – Munich, The IBBY UK Honour Books List and awarded The Extraordinary Book of 2023 by The International Children’s Literature Festival of Berlin. Joseph was the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate 2022 – 2024.

The Carnegies Book Town Takeover is part of the wider mission of the Carnegies to promote a lifelong love of reading and celebrate excellence in children’s and young adult literature. This partnership with Sedbergh offers a unique opportunity to unite authors, illustrators, and educators with young readers in a town steeped in literary heritage.

Organisers are looking forward to welcoming school pupils, teachers and librarians from across the north of England to Sedbergh.

Full details are available here