Shepherds Bush-born children’s author Nathan Bryon (pictured) unveils a special new postbox in Uxbridge Road decorated in his honour for World Book Day
A newly decorated ‘digital’ postbox in Uxbridge Road has been unveiled by local children’s author Nathan Bryon.
The Shepherds Bush-born writer was joined by his colleague, illustrator Dapo Adeola, as they celebrated World Book Day on Thursday (4 March) with a little help from Royal Mail. But this is no ordinary postbox – it’s got a QR code linking through to some free digital offerings from Nathan.
The bright yellow postbox is one of five unveiled across the UK on World Book Day to honour all the British authors and illustrators who have been working hard to keep children happily engaged and reading during lockdown. The postbox will be decorated for a month.
PICTURE GALLERY: See how H&F pupils celebrated World Book Day
Winners
Nathan and Dapo won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book of The Year last year for Look Up!.
It’s a joyful book about a science-mad young black girl trying to distract her brother from his phone actively looks to challenge perceptions around race and gender.
In addition to writing one of the most popular recently released children’s books, Nathan and Dapo have been keeping thousands of children entertained with their lively and entertaining digital events, including their Puffin Storytime event which has been viewed over 25,000 times.
Nathan said: “It is such an honour for our work to be included in this project alongside such incredible literary talent. To see Rocket come to life in a completely different medium on the side of a London Royal Mail postbox is so awesome and we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction to it!”
As well as being an actor, Nathan has previously written for BBC children’s TV shows Rastamouse, Swashbuckle and Apple Tree House.
He asked his friend Dapo, an illustrator and character designer, to draw the character of Rocket. “I just told him she was a black girl, with big hair, and glasses – it was like he had a cable to my brain,” Nathan told the BBC.
Mark Street, Head of Campaigns at Royal Mail, said: “The UK is home to some of the world’s best children’s authors, and it is heart-warming to see how so many have been focused on keeping the magic of literature alive for children during lockdown.”
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