BookBench sculptures to pop up across Manchester

BookBenches painted with literary designs by Manchester schools and community groups will pop up across Manchester this summer, helping to spark a love of reading across the city.

58 benches shaped like open books will be on display at cultural venues across the city from 10 July until September, as part of the Read Manchester campaign from Manchester City Council and the National Literacy Trust, in partnership with Wild in Art.

Local families can discover the benches, inspired by the city’s favourite reads, with a special BookBench trail map, which they can pick up from their local library or venue taking part in the project. The map can also be downloaded from www.readmanchester.org.uk.

The BookBenches have all been painted by local schools and community groups, with designs including:
 ‘100 Years of Roald Dahl’s Wonders’, created by pupils at All Saints Church of England  Primary School – this design was inspired by the books of Roald Dahl, who is a favourite author of pupils at the school
‘The Journey’, created by pupils at Heald Place Primary School – a bench inspired by the strength, courage and bravery of refugees around the world, which the pupils read about in The Journey by Francesca Sanna
‘How to Train Your Dragon’, created by pupils at St Luke’s CE Primary School – this design is based on Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series, one of the school’s favourite stories of bravery and overcoming adversity
‘Manchester’s Secret Gardens’, created by Manchester College’s Supported Learning Department – this BookBench is inspired by Manchester-born Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden, as well as Manchester’s green spaces.

24 cultural venues across Manchester will host BookBenches as part of the exhibition. A cluster of venues in the city centre includes Manchester Cathedral, the Manchester Arndale, the Royal Exchange Theatre and the National Football Museum. Outside of the city centre, venues including the National Cycling Centre, the Lowry and Manchester Museum will have BookBenches on display. The venues will host their own literacy-themed events, including storytelling sessions and book swaps, throughout the summer. There will also be activities and resources at each location for families to complete.