Children Today celebrates diversity and inclusion through ‘Accessible Authors’ free online storytelling

Chester-based charity, Children Today Charitable Trust is celebrating National Storytelling Week this month with ‘Accessible Authors’ – a series of free online storytelling sessions, featuring acclaimed authors who's work is centred around disability, neurodiversity and inclusivity.

From January 30th to February 4th, the children’s disability charity is inviting children, schools and other organisations to participate in a series of six, hour-long sessions, which include a live reading by the author followed by a questions and answers session.

Authors Kate Foster, Peter Reynolds, Danielle Brown MBE, Jordan Scott, Charlotte Barkla, and Anne Alcott will be reading from their own books, which feature characters with a disability and promote inclusivity.

The event organiser, Fiona Harris-Hunt, from Children Today, says: “This is a unique opportunity for children of all ages to connect with authors bringing personal experiences and characters with disabilities to life!”

From Kate Foster’s heart-warming story ‘PAWS’ about a young boy with Autism navigating his way through starting secondary school, to two-time Paralympic medallist Danielle Brown MBE sharing snippets from her books ‘Run like a Girl’ and ‘Girls Rule’ – which celebrate powerful female role models –  there’s something for all ages.

Danielle Brown MBE says:

“People often talk about losing themselves in a story, but I think that it's important to find yourself. It's important to be able to see yourself reflected in the pages of a book, but for far too long disability has been underrepresented and misrepresented.

“Working with brilliant charities, like Children Today, who prioritise inclusion and help level the playing field for disabled children is the perfect fit. This helps make inclusive content more accessible and drives important conversations.”

The charity is encouraging schools, pre-schools and other organisations to sign up to host sessions for their pupils during school hours. Individuals are also welcome to sign up and join in, to both sessions inside and outside of school times!

More than 4,500 young people have already registered to take part in the event.

Fiona continues:

“It’s so important that we teach our children to accept others and that our differences are what makes us special. These sessions are all about celebrating our differences and uniqueness as well as giving children a fantastic opportunity to find out more about what being a writer is like.

“With reading and literacy levels requiring development nationally, it’s also a great opportunity for teachers to bring books and reading to life and promote a love of reading in school children.  

“We hope to both promote inclusion and inspire a generation of budding authors to follow their dreams!”

The full line-up includes:

• Kate Foster reading 'PAWS’ – Tuesday 30^th January
• Peter Reynolds reading 'The Dot' and 'Ish' – Tuesday 30^th January
• Danielle Brown MBE reading from 'Run Like a Girl' and ‘Girls Rule’ – Wednesday 31^st January
• Jordan Scott reading 'I Talk Like a River’ – Thursday 1^st February
• Charlotte Barkla reading ‘All Bodies are Good Bodies' – Friday 2^nd February
• Anne Alcott reading 'When Things Get Too Loud' – Sunday 4^th February

For more information about the event or to sign up for any of the sessions visit:

https://www.childrentoday.org.uk/activities/accessible-authors/

Pictured - Danielle Brown MBE will be reading from Run Like a Girl and Girls Rule.