Trustees

We have a brilliant team of Trustees, from a range of sectors and careers – all with one thing in common, understanding the importance of reading for children, and the impact that author visits, reading for pleasure and library services can make in a childs life.

Meet our valued trustees:

Julia Robinson BEM
Julia is Principal Librarian in South Tyneside, having worked there for over 20 years. Julia is also Chair of Libraries Connected North East, giving her the chance to get a great understanding of what is going on right across the North East. Julia loves public libraries and the role they play in bringing reading, culture, art, creativity and belonging to their local communities.

“My favourite books were Anne of Green Gables and the Marmalade Atkins series.

When my daughters were small we loved the classics, Each Peach Pear Plum and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. I love Michael Rosen books, and also have a real soft spot for David Almond. I love to read the Geordie dialect in his books.”

Angela Foster
Angela has worked in libraries for over 20 years, starting as a secondary school librarian and now works at Stockton-on-Tees Libraries as Children and Young Person’s Librarian. Angela is a past North East judge for the Carnegies and has been on book panels for World Book Day and BookTrust Bookstart packs.

“Our primary school headteacher encouraged parents to buy their children anything to read that matched their interests. I loved dancing, so I loved all the Drina series by Jean Estoril, as I loved watching ballet and the theatre.

As an adult there are so many great children’s books, so my favourite can change on a regular basis. I do love the work of Marcus Sedgwick. As a parent I love sharing Ross Collins’ books with my son.”

Christine Myhill MBE
Chris recently retired from her role in public libraries after a career spanning 40 years and a huge variety of roles. Chris is a former Chair of ASCEL (now Libraries Rising), a charity with the voice of children and young people at its heart. Chris is an enthusiastic and passionate advocate for the amazing work that libraries do to develop a love of reading for pleasure in children and young people.

“I loved reading as a child and visited the library with my dad every week. I remember being fascinated by the story of Heidi, who lived on a mountain with her grandfather—still one of my all-time favourite children’s books.

My favourite children’s book of recent years is The Scarecrow’s Wedding, which I gifted to my son and daughter-in-law on their wedding day.”

Fiona Hill
Fiona worked at Newcastle Libraries for over 40 years, gaining experience in many distinct roles, with a background in areas such as children and young people’s services, reading, and health. She is enthusiastic about the impact libraries have, particularly the nurturing of reading for pleasure. Fiona was eager to continue her involvement with the important work of the Northern Children’s Book Festival.

“I enjoyed reading as a child and have a lifelong love of picture books. Where the Wild Things Are was a childhood favourite. The C.S. Lewis classic of children’s fantasy literature, The Chronicles of Narnia, piqued my interest in reading a series of books.

As an adult I enjoyed re-reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. A couple of must-reads recommended to me were The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Noughts and Crosses, both impactful books.”

Rachel Warkcup
Rachel has worked in public libraries for over 20 years in a variety of roles, including driving a jungle-themed mobile library around schools in North Tyneside. Rachel now manages the North Tyneside School’s Library Service, library services for children and young people, and coordinates the libraries’ events and outreach programme.

“I loved a series of books called Gumdrop by Val Biro about a car and his owner Mr Hardcastle. My dad would take me to the local library on a Saturday morning and I remember the excitement of finding a new Gumdrop book. It felt like there were hundreds of them.

There are so many amazing children’s books it is hard to choose a favourite. My son is currently enjoying Bunny vs Monkey, which means I get to experience this series with him—and it isn’t something I would usually choose to read, so he is broadening my reading choices. It’s a No Money Day by Kate Milner has been one of the most moving picture books I have read in recent years, about a young girl and her mum’s life below the poverty line.”

and thanks also to Taranjeet Singh, Mark Freeman, Catherine Scott and Rebecca Wilkie.

A speak thanks to Eric Ferguson, who sadly passed away in 2025. Eric was a valued trustee with NCBF, a Senior Primary School Improvement Consultant for Newcastle City Council and had extensive experience working in primary schools. He directed the development of Literature Works, a region-wide, English and cross curricular strategy which benefits the whole school. He was committed to improving pupil achievement in reading and writing. Eric also worked as an OfSTED inspector, an associate regional adviser for the DfE and deputy head teacher in the UK and abroad. His contribution to NCBF, and the North East in general cannot be understated. Many childrens lives were improved, in immeasurable ways, by Erics hard work throughout his life.