By the book! (From Warrington Guardian)

By the book!

WINSFORD schoolchildren will have a bookshop of their very own to celebrate World Book Day.

On Saturday, Winsford library will be giving them the opportunity to exchange the £1 voucher all four to 18-year-olds receive through their schools on World Book Day, which falls the day before on Friday, April 23.

The annual event coincides with the birthday of Britain's best known author William Shakespeare.

It's Winsford's own best-selling author, John Malam, who has organised the special sale to ensure that local youngsters don't suffer from the lack of book retail facilities in the town.

He said: "A major problem for children in Winsford is that there are no bookshops where the £1 vouchers will be accepted - as far as I know, the nearest retail outlet which will accept them is WH Smith in Northwich.

"After that, it's a trek into Crewe, Chester or Manchester, to the bookshops there.

"1999 is the National Year of Reading, and it's a terrible shame that for thousands of Winsford kids they'll be given book vouchers they can't use, just because the town lacks a bookshop."

John, however, is providing some hope by arranging with Ian Anstice, of Winsford Library, to hold a children's book sale there this Saturday morning, April 24.

This gives children, and their parents too, a chance to use the vouchers. The £1 token can be put towards the cost of buying any book worth £2.95 or more.

John said: "We did the same thing last year, and it was quite an event, with hundreds of children going to the library, some of whom hadn't been there before, and who then became members."

As part of the celebrations, John will also be giving talks to schools in Winsford, including Woodford Lodge, on how books are made.

The Winsford and Middlewich Guardian has four John Malam books to give away in a special World Book Day competition.

The colourful publications are ideal for either educational use or for simple reading enjoyment.

Two of the books come from John's 'Tell Me About' series, which tells the stories of famous people and brings their eras to life.

One is the story of children's author Beatrix Potter, famed for creations like Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck, and the other is dedicated to legendary Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl.

Also on offer is John's latest work, the fascinating 'Mesopotamia and the Near East: From 10,000 BC to 539 BC', part of the 'Looking Back' series which presents a broad overview of some of the most fascinating societies and cultures in history.

And we also have a copy of the essential 'Exploring Ancient Egypt' to complete the varied and exciting package.

All you have to do to win one of the books is answer this simple question: World Book Day, April 23, is the birthday of which famous author?

Phone in with your answer on 01606 862086, or send your answer on a postcard to Winsford and Middlewich Guardian, Freepost CW742, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2AE. The winners will be drawn at random and notified direct.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.