A nine-year-old schoolgirl from Littleborough has been named in the House of Commons as the winner of Paul Waugh MP’s annual Rochdale World Book Day competition.
Matilda Mann, a Year Five pupil from Littleborough Community Primary School, took first place with her review of A Box Full of Murders by Janice Hallett. Paul Waugh MP visited the school to present Matilda with her prize following his announcement of the winner in the House of Commons on World Book Day.
As part of the prize, Matilda received a £40 book voucher and her school will benefit from £400 worth of books and stationery.
Matilda also received a book specially signed by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, praising her win.
Two runners-up were also selected from the many entries submitted by pupils across the Rochdale constituency. They will each receive a £30 book voucher, and their schools – Smithy Bridge Primary School and Healey Primary School – have won nearly £200 worth of books each.
Paul also awarded several Highly Commended prizes to recognise other standout entries. These went to pupils from Crossgates Primary School, Sandbrook Primary School, Milnrow Parish Primary School and Littleborough Community Primary School.
The competition invited Year Five pupils across Rochdale to submit a handwritten review of their favourite book, explaining what they enjoyed about it. Entries could also include drawings and were limited to one page.
Paul Waugh MP announced the winner in the House of Commons during World Book Day.
Speaking in Parliament, Paul Waugh MP said:
“Madam Deputy Speaker, today is World Book Day, so will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the winner of my own World Book Day competition, Matilda Mann of Littleborough Community Primary School, for her review, a brilliant review, of A Box Full of Murders by Janice Hallett, and congratulate all the local businesses who helped sponsor the hundreds of pounds of books for our local schools.”
Paul Waugh MP added:
“It was fantastic to read so many brilliant entries from young people across Rochdale. The standard was incredibly high and it was clear how much thought and enthusiasm pupils had put into their reviews.
“Congratulations to Matilda on a fantastic winning entry, and well done to Joshua, Darcy and all the highly commended pupils who also impressed the judges.
“In an age of smartphones, tablets and social media, it’s more important than ever that children discover the joy of reading for pleasure. I’m also very grateful to the brilliant Rochdale businesses who stepped forward to support this competition and help provide hundreds of pounds worth of books and stationery for local schools.”
This year’s competition was supported by a number of local businesses including First Rochdale, H Bell & Sons, Alf Recruit, Office Supplies Now and Capture Design, whose sponsorship helped provide the prizes for pupils and schools across the constituency.