WATERSTONE's Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, will visit Wirral as part of his epic nationwide Library Marathon next month.

During his stop-off at Birkenhead Central Library on Thursday, October 6, the award-winning performance poet, playwright, and children’s author will register for a library card, borrow a book and read to and perform for school children visiting the venue.

Libraries have formed a 'vital part' of Joseph's life. His Library Marathon is described as 'a heartfelt homage to the important role they play within communities and inspiring a love of reading in young people.

It is a call for people, young and old, to join their local library.

Joseph has so far joined 204 libraries and by the end of National Libraries Week, the total will have reached a record 213 libraries.

He said: "I have visited libraries in every library authority in the UK: from large Carnegie libraries to tiny libraries in converted one-bedroom flats, on busses and even bikes.

"The dedication and passion of librarians has been inspiring – not only offering book recommendations, but also safe havens for people to be warm, to feel less socially isolated, to learn new skills or simply to weigh their newborn babies.

"Libraries have always played a vital part of my life, and so it has been wonderful to see librarians use my visits as an opportunity to get new people to sign up.

"I hope that the Library Marathon has encouraged many new members into the library and reminded many existing members of all the wonderful work these essential spaces carry out."

For the last event on Saturday, October 7 – after a jam-packed week on the road visiting libraries up and down the UK – Joseph will cycle, on his trademark homemade bamboo bike, into the courtyard of the British Library where he will register for his final library card and kick off a spectacular day of books and reading.

The British Library Family Day special – called ‘Book Adventurers’ and curated in collaboration with BookTrust and Joseph – is free and welcomes children of every age and stage.

It will feature workshops, storytelling and talks aplenty courtesy of an exciting line-up of writers, illustrators, book creators, dancers, storytellers, puppeteers and artists, including much-loved author and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen.

Further information about Coelho's ‘Library Marathon', can be found here

More information about ‘Family Day: Book Adventurers’ at the British Library can be found here 

Diana Gerald, chief executive at BookTrust, said: "Joseph’s Library Marathon has been a heroic effort and a fabulous way to highlight the crucial role that libraries play in giving children access to a wide range of books and engaging them with reading through activities and events.

"This matters because we know from research that children who read regularly and who enjoy reading are happier and do better at school than those who do not.

"They are more creative and empathetic and go on to do better in life.

"In these times when money is tight, families need their local libraries more than ever to help make sure that their children get the very best out of life."