Diverse Children's Shakespeare

Thursday, November 2, 2023
Heritage room, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Diverse Children's Shakespeare

Thursday, November 2, 2023
Heritage room, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

What you need to know

This event is inspired by popular activist movements like #BlackLivesMatter #WeNeedDiverseBooks #DecolonisetheCurriculum. First, explore the under-representation of ethnically diverse characters in, and creators of, children’s illustrated Shakespeare books. 

Then, discover a handful of diverse titles, series and mediums that have emerged in recent years. Find the ones to watch going forward! Consider how these diverse books can improve young readers' sense of belonging and self-esteem in their first encounters with Shakespeare. 

In the hands-on exhibition, you can get to grips with illustrated Shakespeare for children, some of it hot off the press and newly acquired by the Children's Library. Other items will transport you to recent and distant pasts through the Birmingham Shakespeare Collection. 

Panellists Koel Chatterjee (Trinity Laban, Shakespop.co.uk) and Wendy Lennon (Shakespeare Institute, Oxford) give their takes on diversity in illustrated Shakespeare past, present and future. Short talks from Sarah Olive (Aston University, Jeunesse Journal) and Lauren Jansen-Parkes (Everything to Everybody) introduce the issues and share ways you can dive deeper into the Birmingham Shakespeare Collection and Children's Library. 

This event is funded by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council). It is just one of Aston University's events as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. Find out more and tweet away at https://festivalofsocialscience.com/ @ESRC #ESRCFestival @EnglishAston @drsaraholive.



Location

Heritage room, Library of Birmingham
1 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA United Kingdom

There are disabled facilities at this venue. For more detailed information please visit AccessAble's access guide.


Getting to the Library of Birmingham

When planning your visit, please be aware that Paradise Circus is currently undergoing major renovation works which may affect your journey. You can find out more information on the Paradise Birmingham website.

Train

We are about 10 to 15 minutes' walk from New Street Station, and 15 to 20 minutes from Snow Hill Station.

Moor Street and Five Ways are further away but still within walking distance.

For more information call National Rail on 08457 11 41 41 or visit their website. If you are using a text phone, dial 18001 first to activate Typetalk.

Bus

Many bus services stop close to the Library on Broad Street.

For more information, call Network West Midlands on 0871 200 22 33 (bus and metro only).

You can also plan your bus journey online.

Cycle

We have plenty of cycle racks in front of the Library on Centenary Square. For information on cycle routes in the city, visit sustrans.org.uk or birmingham.gov.uk/cycling

Visit our web page on tips to keep your bicycle secure and ensure you’ve always got a ride home

Car

Birmingham is easily reached via the M5, M6, M40 and M42. Follow signs to Birmingham City Centre and the ICC.

From the South-West (M5), leave the motorway at Junction 3, follow the A456 towards the city centre.

From the South (M40), South-East (M6) East (M69), or North-East (M42) follow the M6 to Junction 6, then the A38 towards the City Centre.

From the North-West (M6) or West (M54) follow the M6 either to Junction 7 then the A34 towards Birmingham City Centre.

Parking

We do not have parking available at the Library – public car parks can be found nearby at Cambridge Street and Arena Birmingham.

Find nearby parking

Disabled parking

There are two bays for Blue Badge holders on Cambridge Street directly behind the Library on The REP side. Access to the front entrance is along the covered walkway on the east side of the Library leading onto Centenary Square.

Further bays are available in the Paradise Circus multi-storey car park on Cambridge Street.

Find nearby disabled parking

Taxis

There is a taxi rank across the road outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Broad Street.

Find taxi ranks

When

  • Thursday, November 2, 2023 2:00 PM
  • Ends Thursday, November 2, 2023 3:30 PM
  • Timezone: United Kingdom Time
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