Blue Peter and CBeebies presenters to launch Book Club Live with free family event in Manchester

A huge event is taking place in Manchester to launch Blue Peter Book Club Live and it's completely free to attend.

The BBC's iconic children’s TV series is partnering with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency on the exciting new project which will see schools and libraries across the UK taking part.

A fun-packed event is being held at Manchester Central Library on Saturday, May 18 to launch the club and will give families the chance to meet Blue Peter presenters Abby, Joel, and Shini, along with Henry the Blue Peter Dog.

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Visitors will be able to join CBeebies presenters George Webster and Gyasi Sheppi for 'magical story times and enchanting escapades'.

As well as discovering 'the brilliant books' in the Blue Peter Book Club, they're being invited to 'celebrate the joy and adventure of reading' with guest authors Eve Ainsworth and the Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.

The event will feature a book-inspired art installation created by 10,000 local school children, creative crafts, special story times, masses of books and a chance to meet some magical classic book characters.

Families can 'journey into Wonderland with Alice and the Mad Hatter, enter the whimsical world of Willy Wonka and Violet as well as Peter Pan and the dastardly Captain Hook in his pirate ship'.

The day will also mark the official launch of the Blue Peter Book Club Badge Trail, which challenges children to discover special Blue Peter badges on display in 12 different cultural venues across Manchester, with a bonus badge in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford.

A special trail map will be