EXPLORE

Explore Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands through multiple innovative entry points

In addition to our engagement programme, ‘8 Ways to Connect’, schools can also connect with the festival via workshops and visits from the festival team.

The festival schools and community group engagement runs through March 2023 –  anyone can take part!

The resources below provide fun, accessible ways into Mary Seacole’s book supporting readers to produce their creative responses.
Creative responses shared with the festival team will be exhibited from 1-18 April in St Leonards on Sea.

School Poster

Download your school poster and then scroll down for multiple downloadable school resources. The #ATownExploresABook23 schools engagement programme, ‘8 Ways to Connect’, supports schools in building a individual, tailored connection with the festival.
If you require support, please email: explorers@explorethearch.com
Select poster image for a printable PDF copy

Mary Seacole journey illustration

Designed by Yasmin Aishah

Paper Boat Kit

Designed by Yasmin Aishah
Select poster image for a printable PDF copy

Video Resources

This reader-led festival invites your personal responses to this heritage book.
Members of the team share insights to get you started!

What Are Books to us?

Gail Borrow introduces A Town Explores A Book festival, which is now entering its 7th year and is an annual exploration of a heritage book.

A Woman of Total Strength

Tola Dabiri shares why she believes Mary Seacole remains a great role model for us all, and and example of overcoming adversity in pursuit of a goal.

There are many Ways to Explore Mary’s Book

Jac Holt shares their history with reading and of exploring books and stories in many different ways.

Explore with your critical eye

Ray Manning encourages readers to approach Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole with a critical eye, as her relationship with her own race is not straightforward.

Three Anniversaries

Etienne Cutmore-Kourouma introduces the three important anniversaries that are connected to our 2023 book choice Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands.

Creative Writing Competition

Festival creative writing competition for KS1, KS2, KS3

The theme for 2023 is “Journey” and the deadline to submit entries is FRIDAY APRIL 28.
A Hastings Museum and Art Gallery collaboration. Prizes donated by Hastings Thrives and National Literacy Trust Hub in Hastings
Select flyer images for a printable PDF copy

Design your bunting!

#ATownExploresABook23 is inviting schools to create artwork inspired by this year’s book, Wonderful  Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands by Mary Seacole, which we will print and display as bunting during the festival.

Templates and instructions can be downloaded from this page and printed to be handed out in classes for children to create designs using inspiration from our collection of videos, book quotes and more.

Visual Inspiration

Artists Robin Elliott-Knowles, Maya Ramnarine and Peter Quinnell share visual responses to Mary Seacole’s writing.
Explore Mary Seacole’s journey across the globe and through her life:

Book Quotes

Mary Seacole’s book reflects her nineteenth century world: