Best-selling author to weave his magic at Leeds

Author Philip Pullman, best known for his award-winning fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials - with one of the books recently made into the film The Golden Compass - will be the star attraction of this year's Leeds Read event at the University of Leeds.

Leeds Read 2008 – ‘The Children's edition' will culminate on World Book Day, 6 March, when Pullman gives a lecture called ‘Poco a poco' looking at the elementary units of a story that make up the narrative. Pullman will also announce the winners of a competition to find the University of Leeds' favourite children's book.

Everyone is encouraged to get involved by nominating their favourite children's book on the Leeds Read 2008 website, at www.leedsread.co.uk Nominations close on 22 February and voting begins on 25 February.

Depending on your age, it might be Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis, Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (a Leeds author), or perhaps Northern Lights by Philip Pullman – but what's your favourite?

Another highlight of this year's Leeds Reads programme will be ‘The Big Book Debate' on Tuesday, 26 February - come along to hear members of the Leeds University Union Debating Society put arguments for and against the motion that: ‘The national curriculum should only include British authors to foster a sense of national identity'. The debate will be held in the Centenary Gallery off Parkinson Court, starting at 6pm.

Photo: Best-selling author Philip Pullman (C) MJ Kim/Getty Images