CHILDREN in Leicester are being invited to nominate their favourite books to be included in a new mural.
Ayana’s Mural will feature an illustrated bookcase winding up the stairs of the Central Library, and children from across Leicester can share their love of reading by nominating their favourite books for inclusion in the final mural design.
It’s part of a visual art and reading project running from now until World Book Day, in March 2026. The project is named after Leicester schoolchild Ayana, who tragically passed away in January 2023.
To take part, nominations can be made online anytime between now and the end of December. A series of schools’ workshops will also capture children’s creative ideas.
And this half-term, children aged 5-15 are invited to join a public workshop at the Central Library, running from 2-4pm on Monday 20 October. The free workshop will be led by writer and poet John Berkavitch, who was poet in residence at Glastonbury earlier this year, and will feature fun ways for children to express their ideas through writing and drawings.
Places at the workshop are limited, so booking is recommended, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Once ideas have been gathered, Hinckley-born artist Peachzz has been commissioned to create the large-scale mural, with a launch event planned close to World Book Day next year.
Yuki, Ayana’s mum, applied to Arts Council England for funding for the project. She said: “Ayana was an avid reader, whose love of stories, people and life will be honoured through this mural. I can’t wait to see the ideas and recommendations that Leicester children come up with, so that we can create something together that truly celebrates the magic of children’s literature and the wonderful public spaces of Leicester’s libraries.”
Assistant city mayor for culture, libraries and community centres, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Sharing Ayana’s joy of books and reading in this way is a lovely tribute to her.
“Our libraries are a wonderful resource for children and young people, and this fantastic new artwork will be an eye-catching addition to the Central Library, leading families towards the children’s section upstairs.
“We look forward to collaborating with the children of Leicester to create a lasting mural to inspire children to read for many years to come.”
Ayana’s Mural will be funded by a £14,500 National Lottery project grant from Arts Council England and by a £3,000 contribution from Leicester City Council’s Cultural Ambition Fund.
To find out more about the project, to book on to the workshop and for children to nominate books, visit https://bookfinder.leicester.gov.uk/ayana-s-mural-project
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