Booktrust Online Writer in Residence: Nii Ayikwei Parkes
Booktrust is an independent charity in the United Kingdom dedicated to “ensuring that every child and adult has the opportunity to experience the delight and power of books and the written word, regardless of income, language, literacy skills, disability or culture.” Their aim of making a national impact on encouraging positive attitudes to books is carried out in numerous ways, such as providing book gifts for children, conducting targeted literacy campaigns (like The Big Picture, which we have featured in our Gallery), education projects, providing resources and sponsorship for literary endeavors (check out the newly opened Free Word Center), and administering the Booktrust prizes.
And do take a look at the Booktrust Children’s Books website. It contains a veritable treasure trove of information and resources. Something that really caught my eye was the Booktrust Online Writer in Residence program, currently featuring Nii Ayikwei Parkes.
Born in 1974 in the UK, and raised in Ghana, Parkes writes poetry, short stories, articles, songs and, sometimes, rap for all ages. He was the 
children’s poet in residence at the Brighton Festival in 2007, has led storytelling sessions at the Southbank Centre and British Museum, and his poem Wrong Side has been memorized by hundreds of pupils across the UK. For older readers, Parkes has written three poetry chapbooks and is currently working on a collection of poetry for schools. A socio-cultural commentator and advocate for African writing, Nii has led forums internationally, currently runs an African Writers’ Evening series program in London, and has established the Writer’s Fund in Ghana to promote writing among the country’s youth. In 2007 he was awarded Ghana’s National ACRAG award for poetry and literary advocacy.
Click here to read Nii’s Booktrust Writer in Residence blog!
