Book festival celebrates importance of identity

Children and young people at Evelina London Children's Hospital are exploring names and heritage thanks to a book festival organised by Evelina Hospital School.

Throughout March, visiting authors and illustrators have led activities and music sessions around the hospital, centred around the theme of identity.

Among the visiting authors was Annemarie Anang, author of I Am Nefertiti. She said: "I wrote I Am Nefertiti to inspire and empower children to be confident in who they are. I'm thrilled to be able to share this message at Evelina London as I want to empower children to advocate for themselves, both at school and in hospital.

Evelina London is such a special place for me. The people who work here are incredible and the children and young people are all amazing.

Claire Bond, acting assistant headteacher of Evelina Hospital School, said: "We believe in the power of stories to inspire, connect, and uplift. By bringing talented authors and illustrators into the hospital school we hope to highlight to children spending time in hospital the beauty of different cultures, voices, and experiences, and demonstrate that every story matters."

Evelina Hospital School educates children and young people aged 2 to 19 who are patients of Evelina London Children's Hospital, either in one of the school's classrooms or on a ward. The school's staff teach a broad and creative curriculum working closely with families, home schools and hospital staff to support children's education and care. The school is rated outstanding by Ofsted.