Free copies of Lenny Henry's children's book are being hidden around Greater Manchester for youngsters to find.
The borough-wide book hunt is taking place now, in the run up to next month's Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries.
Copies of The Boy With Wings are being hidden in various locations until May 22, with clues released by libraries to give families a headstart.
Some have already been found in parks and libraries including Victoria Park in Stretford, Hopwood Park in Rochdale, Stamford Park in Altrincham and Westcroft Park in Platt Bridge, Wigan.
The Festival of Libraries, which runs from June 15 to 19, aims to celebrate the librarians who run the spaces, the users who make use of the services and the extraordinary stories that emerge from the everyday use of libraries.
Everyone who finds a copy of The Boy With Wings, or takes part in the hunt, can go to their local library to receive a certificate, and lucky winners who find the books will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of attending a special event with Lenny Henry at a showcase author event on June 18 in Manchester city centre.
Sir Lenny Henry said: “Copies of my book, The Boy With Wings, have been hidden across the whole of Greater Manchester as part of the Manchester Festival of Libraries – how exciting.
“The story’s an adventure about an ordinary kid who becomes an extraordinary hero, and you can be a hero too! Your mission is to find the clues at your local library, then keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, and you could find your very own book to keep and enjoy, but if not you’ll have lots of adventures along the way.
“Not only that, some lucky winners will be coming to see me at a special event, fingers crossed it could be you! I can't wait to come to Manchester – you’ve got some pretty amazing libraries.”
Look for a Book is one of the highlights of the festival's full live programme of 80 events. Led by ambassador Lemn Sissay OBE, and delivered by UNESCO Manchester City of Literature, the festival showcases the library network’s full offer, for people from all backgrounds and demographics, with events taking in wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and reading, all of which are now listed on the festival website.
Joining ambassador Lemn Sissay, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Jay Blades, as part of the Inspired by strand are broadcaster Mike Sweeney (BBC Radio Manchester), public historian, broadcaster, and author Greg Jenner (Horrible Histories, You’re Dead to Me), plus poets Jackie Kay and Elizabeth Reynolds.
Also added to the programme are tours of the Manchester University and Bolton NHS Libraries, which are not normally open to the public and have book collections, with highlights including the only entire hospital based copy of the human printed genome.
The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, highlights the richness and diversity of the libraries on offer in the North West, from world class heritage libraries, to specialist and independent libraries, to re-designed public library spaces.
Keep an eye on your local council's Facebook page or Twitter for clue's on where the books are being hidden.
There are lots of children's events planned as part of the Festival of Libraries including library storytimes, sensory sessions and interactive performances. Visit the website for more information.
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