Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Book written in collaboration with Leeds Academy pupils to launch this week
Intergalactic Superhero School – Journey to Planet Earth is a story about a young boy with superpowers who joins an academy for superheroes. The illustrated book is part of the Story Makers Press programme to improve representation in storytelling within schools.
Story Makers Press – part of Story Makers Company at Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University – works with pupils across West Yorkshire to create books with diverse and representative characters - ensuring all children can see themselves in the books they study at school.
Dr Lisa Stephenson, director of Story Makers Company, said: “There is a shocking lack of diversity and meaningful representation in children’s literature. This is highlighted by the 2018 CLPE Reflecting Realities report, which combined with the fact that children are often entirely reliant on gatekeepers, experiencing stories written and performed by adults for them, can mean that they do not often ‘see themselves’ in the stories they encounter.
“The Story Makers Company and Press were created as a way to redress the balance and amplify children's voice. The Press uses drama and storytelling to allow children to explore stories, which are then transformed into engaging fiction books. It was a pleasure to work with the boys from Stephen Longfellow Academy, who have created an empowering story for other children to enjoy. They have created interesting and dynamic characters within an exciting storyline. They are testament to the power of the collective imagination!”
The online launch of Intergalactic Superhero School will start at 17:30 on Wednesday 29 June, and will see presentations by the illustrator and designer of the book, one of the teachers involved in the creation process, and allow attendees to experience one of the Company’s worldbuilding activities.
If you would like more information about Intergalactic Superhero School, or to attend the launch, please email storymakers@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.