Corinne Bailey Rae joins Likkle Lit Fest Line-up
Corinne Bailey Rae has joined the line-up of Likkle Lit Fest – Out of Many People’s new festival of Black literature for children and young adult readers in her hometown, Leeds.
The Grammy Award-winning musician is appearing at the festival on Saturday, February 14, at Leeds Central Library, when she will read from her debut picture book, Put Your Records On (published by Fox and Ink Books on March 5).
Inspired by her award-winning hit song of the same name, which came out 20 years ago, Put Your Records On, illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara, follows a young girl named Bea who learns about herself and the world through music, after being introduced to her great-aunt’s record collection.
The book is aimed at children aged 4-8 and celebrates themes of joy, music, and connection.
The acclaimed artist said: “This book is about music and feelings. I wanted to share with children that every feeling they have ever felt has been expressed in a song. I wanted to tell them that music can be a friend. It can hold you, sit with you in any emotion, and help you to loosen feelings held inside.
“It is an honour to be joining a brilliant line-up of Black creators, and I’m delighted to be bringing Put Your Records On to Likkle Lit Fest and sharing the book with families in my hometown of Leeds.”
Likkle Lit Fest is aimed at everyone from young children and families to teenagers and features interactive family-friendly workshops by beloved children’s authors and illustrators and a host of drop-in activities.
Among the other well-known names taking part in the inaugural, all-day festival, are Leeds-based author-illustrator Salomey Doku, who has collaborated with Sir Lenny Henry on his Tyrone children’s picture book series as well as creating her own Brielle and Bear teen graphic novels; fantasy writer Ashley Thorpe, author of The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors; and Selina Brown, children’s author and founder of the Black British Book Festival.
Likkle Lit Fest, in partnership with Leeds Libraries and kicking off the Leeds Storytelling Festival, is part of the Out of Many People Rooted programme – a series of events showcasing Black storytelling – made possible with Arts Council England funding.
The festival is free to attend with no need to book for the numerous drop-in activities, including a vibrant Black Artisan Marketplace and literature-themed crafting.
However, the writers and illustrators’ sessions, including Corinne Bailey Rae’s, are all affordable pay as you can ticketed events are all affordable pay as you can ticketed events .
Susan Pitter, Out of Many People co-founder, said: “We’re so excited that Corinne has agreed to take part in Likkle Lit Fest. She’s an international superstar who is famous around the world but has never forgotten her Leeds roots.
“Corinne is an inspirational storyteller through her songs and now with her debut children’s book, Put Your Records On, she will no doubt inspire a whole new audience.”
Likkle Lit Fest is a Rooted event made possible by Arts Council England, in partnership with Leeds Libraries and our generous supporters the Book Trust, British Library and the National Poetry Centre.