Join the Literary Long Weekend / Children's Party at the Palace

The Children's Party at the Palace will take place on 25th June at Buckingham Palace, as part of the celebrations around the Queen's 80th birthday. The event will be attended by 2000 children, accompanied by 1000 adults and many favourite storybook characters, who will also see a live show in the garden of Buckingham Palace. The specially-written show will be broadcast live by the BBC at 6pm on 25th June.

In addition to the party, the Palace, in conjunction with the DCMS, DfES and the National Literacy Trust is encouraging schools and libraries to offer related activities in the three days leading up to the live show, creating a Literary Long Weekend. The objective is to promote reading and books, using the Party as the catalyst; and to encourage school and libraries to create fun and imaginative initiatives for 'Bringing Children's Literature to Life in the Community'. Suggested activities include:

• Reading recommendations (using the Children's Party at the Palace logo)
• Use Jacqueline Wilson's 'Great Books to Read Aloud' to set up sessions supporting parents in reading to children
• Live storytelling sessions; perhaps linked to a relevant (Royal) theme
• Guest authors; inviting local authors to read from their book/s
• Themed parties; children come dressed as their favourite storybook character

Buckingham Palace and the BBC will be able to support these activities in the following ways:

• The Children's Party at the Palace logo (will be available from the website)
• A special message of encouragement from the Palace which can be read out
• A recorded message from a CBBC literary character appearing in the live show on 25 June