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Kids' book focus for 'Richard & Judy'

31.08.07 Anna Richardson

Daytime TV duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan are planning a one-off children's book show, as part of a new Channel 4 literacy season this autumn. "Richard & Judy's Best Kids' Books Ever" will be an hour-long, peak-time special featuring top children's authors, aimed at encouraging children to read.

The programme forms part of a Channel 4 season on the state of Britain's literacy that will run at the end of October. The week-long season will also include "Can't Read, Can't Write", a series that follows a headmistress' mission to wipe out illiteracy in her primary school with the help of literacy expert Ruth Miskin and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, and a "Dispatches" investigation in which Channel 4 News' chief correspondent Alex Thompson investigates standards of children's literacy in Britain and the wider social impact of poor literacy rates.

Also lined up for autumn to celebrate Channel 4's 25th anniversary are "Boy A", based on Jonathan Trigell's novel (Serpent's Tail); "Ponderland", Russell Brand's first solo series; and "This is Civilisation", inspired by the late Kenneth Clarke's arts series.

Meanwhile, Richard and Judy announced The House at Riverton as this year's Summer Read favourite, as voted for by viewers, on air on Wednesday.

Anna Richardson children's Richard & Judy

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By anne.cassidy4@btopenworld.com

I, for one, am very glad that R and J are doing this. They are often ridiculed but I have found them to be passionately interested in the books that they talk about and have often been inspired to try something new by them. As a children's writer i an thrilled that they are moving into 'our' field. We need media coverage. Hurah for the notice Harry Potter brought us BUT it's time that the whole range and different genres of children's books get some notice. I do hope they include Young Adult Fiction which is often ignored. Excellent. Anne

31 Aug 07 09:51

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By Jayne Truran

Hurrah Richard and Judy. I hope you do for childrens authors what you have been doing admirably for adult authors. I spend my days encouraging young people to find the joys within the covers of a book and through my work with The Federation of Children's Book Groups we are making some serious headway. Never has there been a more golden time for the young with fabulous childrens titles on offer. I hope you highlight some of my favourites.

03 Sep 07 17:29

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By Jayne Truran

Bravo Richard and Judy. I hope you are as succesful highlighting childrens and young adults authors as you have been with their adult peers. I spend most of my working and social life encouraging young people to find the joy within the pages of a book. Through the Federation of Children's Book Groups myself and my colleasgues are bringing children, books and authors together whenever, wherever and however we can. I hope you highlight some of my favourites.

03 Sep 07 17:33

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