At THE START of 2007, a small group of Philippa Pearce’s friends, family and colleagues began organising a series of memorial lectures. These lectures are to be spread over five years, and will be delivered by various distinguished speakers with an interest in children’s books. Some of the speakers may be authors themselves; all, from their different perspectives, will provoke thought. In this way and in Philippa Pearce's honour, we seek to acknowledge and understand excellence in writing for children, and to emphasize its continuing vital importance.
The inaugural lecture was held on 11th September 2008, at Homerton College, Cambridge, and focused on Philippa Pearce ’s own writing and contribution to children’s liturature. Subsequent lectures will range more widely, over the works of others, but will tend to reflect her own wide-ranging literary interests in, for example, the short story, the ghost story, the picture book and, of course, the novel.
The second lecture in the series was given by Michael Rosen.
The 2010 lecture will be given by Michael Morpurgo, and will be held on the 30th of September at Seven Stories, The Centre for the Children’s Book, Newcastle. Please follow this link for all information. You can book tickets by contacting Seven Stories directly.
The 2011 lecture will be given by Philip Pullman and will return to Homerton College.