According to the data from the DfE (January 2021), all year groups experienced an average learning loss in reading of around two months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The literacy attainment gap is especially evident in secondary schools and in schools with high levels of free school meals.

Pop Up Festival Presents aimed to help schools to narrow the gap in literacy attainment, supporting wellbeing and the recovery curriculum.

Through finding themselves in diverse literature, learning about others’ worlds and meeting authors in Pop up Festival Presents, children and young people will not only build their capacity for creative and critical thinking, they will also enhance their ability to respond with empathy and compassion for others.

Professor Teresa Cremin, Professor of Education (Literacy), The Open University

One third of the programme featured authors of colour, continuing Pop Up’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and the representation of marginalised voices and experiences in children’s literature.

Debut writers and illustrators that featured in Pop Up Festival Presents:

• Emerging writers and illustrators from Pop Up’s 10 Stories to Make a Difference collection of newly published titles
• Mentees from Pathways into Children’s Literature talent development programme for illustrators of colour

“There's never been a more important time to get kids engaged with reading and great books. What an honour to be a part of this fantastic opportunity to blow a collective raspberry in the face of the past year!”

Andy Stanton, award-winning author of the Mr Gum series