Michael Rosen, author of Worker’s Tales, Reading and Rebellion, and his memoir So They Call You Pisher! along with children's books We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Jelly Boots and Uncle Gobb, talks about his love of libraries and why he thinks they're so important in our local communities.
In terms of books and education, we probably need to do less teaching and much more reading. I think books and literacy are over taught in schools and I think we need to do a lot more sitting around reading and talking, talking and reading, because out of that experience you actually get what books and literature have to offer.
Libraries are wonderful. They're free, open spaces in which people can browse, read, choose and find other books that they may or may not like.
People can read the newspapers and use referencing, which is ever so important. You can use the computers. Libraries are open, free spaces in which people can meet people of all ages, from all backgrounds, and there are very few places left in British culture and society that are like that.
That’s the incredible power of a library; it brings people together without anyone under any obligations.
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Michael Rosen attended Hay Festival on Friday 24 May and Saturday 25 May. Listen again on Hay Player shortly after here.