June 25, 2006 Royal Birthday party
and Kids take over Buckingham Palace
In celebration of the queen's 80th birthday a garden party for 1,000 lucky children was held at Buckingham Palace. In attendance were charcters from Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, and Peter Rabbit. Harry Potter and his creator J.K. Rowling were also at the festivities as were authors Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson.

The focus of the party was to highlight a campaign to bring literature into the lives of disadvantaged and hospitalised children. "Twelve thousand books have been donated by publishers to a book pool established through the National Literacy Trust, and some of the writers who read to youngsters in the authors' tent during the party will give readings in hospitals and schools."