To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Artsmark, we’ve teamed up with CILIP to create a special selection of Kate Greenaway titles, ‘Greenaway Greats’, offering young people a fantastic reading opportunity featuring outstanding illustration.
20 titles have been selected from the alumni of past winners, curated into 10 books for primary schools and 10 for secondary schools to create the Greenaway Greats reading scheme. The scheme offers young people a diverse selection of illustrated texts to explore, supported by high-quality reading resources to prompt debate, discussion and inspire creativity.
Launching on World Book Day, 3 March and running until Day to Create on 6 July, the Greenaway Greats reading scheme will culminate in the opportunity for young readers to vote for their favourite book from the lists. What will be your Greenaway Great?
About the scheme
Jake Hope, Chair of the Awards Working Party and author of Seeing Sense (Facet Publishing, 2020) says; “The Kate Greenaway Medal has recognised some of the most innovative and exciting illustrators across its history. To help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Artsmark we are delighted to offer children and young people the opportunity to make their own choice of Greenaway Greats. Focusing on illustrated texts is a great way to spark discussion around visual techniques, styles and representation and to inspire readers to explore their own creative responses to the books. There will be loads of opportunities to get creative too with draw-alongs, opportunities to engage with illustrators and to have a lot of fun!”
Mirroring the annual Kate Greenaway Awards Shadowing Scheme, the Greenaway Greats reading scheme will offer young people the chance to read for pleasure and debate and discuss these illustrated books with their peers. The scheme encourages young readers to develop their visual literacy skills as they delve deeper into illustration, attending to the detail and developing their analytical skills. Readers will be encouraged to produce their own artwork inspired by the book lists, from designing their own book covers, recreating their favourite spreads or producing original artworks inspired by the stories.
A platform for pupil voice
Anne Appelbaum, Director of Children & Young People at Arts Council commented “As champions of a creative and cultural education, we are delighted to bring Artsmark and CILIP together to create the Greenaway Greats scheme, which celebrates what Artsmark stands for – providing young people with a platform to have their voice heard and to instil a joy in being creative.”
How to get involved:
Any school, specialist or alternative education setting can participate by purchasing the book collections – one aimed at younger pupils and one at older pupils. The accompanying reading resources for each book title, designed to prompt discussion and encourage creative activity, are available to download here.
Five titles appear on both selections and the activities included in the accompanying reading resources are thematic rather than by key stage. This means you can select books and adjust activities accordingly to suit the age range, needs and abilities of your group.
Order your book packs here from the official supplier, Peters, and receive a 26% discount.
The books
Schools interested in how Artsmark can support their school can visit our About page.
Click the pages below to find out other ways to get involved with Artsmark’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
