ALL OF LONDON. ONE BOOK. THIS APRIL.

Cityread Launch

Monday 2 April

Times: 8am – 12.30pm

Foyles bookshop, Unit 8A, St Pancras Station, Euston Road, N1C 4QL

Cityread London 2012, in partnership with Penguin Classics, heralds its month long series of events celebrating Dickens and the classic Oliver Twist on 2 April outside Foyles bookshop at St Pancras Station.

1,000 free copies of a specially printed Penguin Classics edition of Oliver Twist will be given away during a very special morning of Victorian fun and games.

From 8am step into Dickens’ world with thrills and spills galore as part of the iconic station is transported back in time. Circus performers the Dappa Chaps will be on hand with juggling shows, penny farthings, stilt-walking and unicycles. If you’re feeling brave, test your mettle in a porridge eating competition – will you ask for more?

Why not give yourself a mid-morning workout with a game of Oliver Twist twister, or get a snap of yourself from a bygone age with Victorian photographer John Winder.

Throughout the morning, there will also the chance to win goodies from Foyles, who will be hosting a series of Cityread events across their London bookshops throughout April.

And don’t miss the steel pan rendition of Oliver!

In association with Penguin Classics and as part of Dickens 2012, Cityread London is bringing Dickens and Oliver Twist to life for Londoners of all ages and is a London Libraries’ initiative.

Hundreds of events will take place across all 33 London boroughs throughout April at museums, cinemas, and major London venues and organisations, delivering discounted and free innovative events to engage young people with libraries, literature and the history of their city.

 Other Cityread highlights include:

Saturday 14 April: Free Cityread Cinema Across London
Sunday 15 April: Dodgy Dickens Family Day at the Museum of Childhood
Thursday 19: April: Dinner With Dickens at The Clerkenwell Kitchen

Saturday 21 April: Author Talk: Claire Tomalin on Dickens at Canada Water Library
Sunday 22 April: Dickens: London Trails App Launch
Saturday 28 April: An Afternoon of Dickens’ Readings at Kensington Palace

For further information including dates, times, availability and prices of all 300 + Cityread events go to: www.cityreadlondon.org.uk