The Great Snark Hunt: poetry inspires young adventurers

Sixty Islington Year 3 pupils descended on Lewis Carroll Children’s Library, Barnsbury, for a fun-filled celebration of Carroll’s classic poem ‘The Hunting of the Snark’.

The lucky children, from Copenhagen Primary School, encountered characters from the poem – including Mr Beaver, a brave creature who saves his friends from disaster several times – and discovered the essential items explorers need to pack for adventures and escapades.

The kids – joined by Islington Mayor, Cllr Una O’Halloran – created their own Snark puppets, out of found and recycled materials, and learned about the importance of recycling and conservation.

The event formed part of the ‘Islington Reads’ programme, which aims to promote the value of literacy and make reading enjoyable for everyone. Research reveals reading for pleasure is associated with higher academic achievement, improved employability, and better mental health.

Michelle Gannon, Islington Council’s Head of Library and Heritage Services, said “Lewis Carroll is one of Britain’s most-loved and enduring children’s authors, and his treasured Snark poem has never been out-of-print since it was written nearly a century and a half ago.

“We hope this event has brought the magic of the Snark to a whole new generation of young explorers, and encouraged them to start or keep reading and embark on new adventures.”

Islington Council and RGM Productions organised the event, to celebrate the West End premiere of a brand-new family musical, inspired by the poem.

From the producers of ‘Priscilla: Queen of the Desert’, The Hunting of the Snark musical is funny, fast-paced, and bursting with a soundtrack of songs by award-winning songwriter Gareth Cooper.

The show opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand on 28 July and runs until 3 September. Following the West End run, the performance will continue on a national tour from 25 September to 19 November.

To find out more about what’s on at Islington libraries, please visit www.islingtonreads.co.uk, follow @islingtonlibs on Twitter, or speak to your local library.

For more information about the West End production of The Hunting of the Snark, please contact rina@rgmproductions.co.uk.