Comics writer Rob Williams returns to his home in the Rhondda this Tuesday afternoon [ed note 30th] to take part in the Welsh Libraries’ Summer of Fun extravaganza.
Rob – who has written for some of the world’s biggest pop culture titles like Doctor Who, Star Wars and IndianaJones – currently developing the King of Rovers YA adult graphic novel series.
But Tuesday afternoon (30e August), it will roll up its sleeves and show kids ages 7 and up how to share their own sci-fi stories and more in comic or graphic form.
“I want them to see that you don’t have to be an artist to be a comic book writer. I’m the writer, not an illustrator,” says Rob. I just want kids to harness their ideas and use their imaginations.
It’s one of hundreds of events and activities offered completely free to children this holiday as part of a cross-sector Summer of Fun campaign funded by the Welsh Government. It is designed to help families in Wales make the most of this year’s school holidays while coping with the cost of living crisis.
The library component of the campaign is run by a national charity, The Reading Agency. “We know that the work we do to inspire engagement in reading across the UK is made possible by the ambition and commitment of our partner libraries,” said Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency .
Libraries have always been important to community life, and it seems that in these difficult times, the public’s love affair with them continues to grow.
“Sometimes parents or teachers still come over and tell kids to ‘shh’ because they’re ‘in the library,’ says Nicola Pitman, chair of the Society of Chief Librarians who leads the Welsh campaign. reassurance about what won’t be needed and seeing their surprise when they find Lego tables and disco dancing and hear shouts of joy during a group storytelling or crafting session.”
And it’s no surprise that children’s authors – always on the front lines promoting and protecting this valuable resource – are so willing to support initiatives like this. In fact, dozens of them, mostly based in Wales or published in Welsh, have joined this summer party by leading a series of hands-on workshops related to their books and Rob’s session falls at the end of six weeks of fabulous activity.
“I loved coming to my local library in Porth in the Rhondda and reading books and comics,” says Rob Williams. “So it’s really exciting to come back and share how they inspired me in celebrating this medium of storytelling with a whole new generation of readers…”
This event is free and will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday 30eAugust at Treorchy Library, Rhondda Cynon Taff.
