Cross publisher annual national day of celebration for Michael Rosen announced at Hay Festival

Inaugural national event Michael Rosen Day to take place on Tuesday 12th November 2024

At Hay Festival, it was announced that there would be a new annual day to celebrate author (and national treasure) Michael Rosen. Joining Michael on stage for a surprise performance of his rap of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, MC Grammar announced the plans to celebrate Michael with his own day to the sold-out crowd. A national campaign to celebrate Michael for his astonishing impact and body of work is planned for participants in schools, nurseries, libraries, homes and beyond.

2024 marks 50 years since the publication of his first book Mind Your Own Business, and the 35th anniversary of the beloved We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and so creates an ideal moment to celebrate the impact of his work with children across the UK. 

Michael Rosen is one of the most popular authors for children writing today and has published over 200 titles. His bestselling titles include We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Little Rabbit Foo Foo and Michael Rosen’s Sad Book. A popular radio broadcaster, distinguished critic and academic, and multi-award-winning poet, Michael was appointed the Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009, is Professor of Children's Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London and won the 2023 PEN Pinter prize for a “fearless body of work”.

Michael Rosen said: “I hope this day can be a day when we can celebrate any way in which we can put books into children’s hands!”

 Led by Walker Books, the day will be a cross publisher celebration, encouraging settings to take part in various activities utilising special resources and will have a focus on reading for pleasure, fun and creativity. There will also be events, with a live streamed element. With research from the NLT showing that just 2 in 5 (43.4%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time, amounting to a national reading crisis, Michael Rosen is the ideal central figurehead on which to base a national celebration of the joy of words.