CHIP LIT FEST - 23-26 April   Chipping Norton Literary Festival has extended their education programme to include home educators. Alongside their imaginative and increasingly popular programme of events and workshops taking place in thirteen schools around the area, they are inviting home educated children and young people to free sessions with bestselling authors.   Award winning author and illustrator Dave Shelton will run a ‘spooky’ writing workshop for 12-16 year olds in the wake of the publication of Thirteen Chairs, a spine-chilling collection of ghost stories. An opportunity to explore, write and embellish a seriously scary script with an author who knows how to do it.   Meanwhile for younger children it’s all about Stinkbomb and Ketchupface and the Evilness of Pizza. John Dougherty will introduce his third title in this popular series. As hilarious as his books, John will be playing his guitar, singing, reading and answering questions. Copious amounts of laughter guaranteed.     Children’s Programme Director, Caroline Watson said: “Our aspiration through the schools programme is to be as inclusive as possible, hence taking authors into schools rather than expecting them to fund coming to us. It’s important that we also include those who are educated at home and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to organise these fantastic events this year.” Home Educator Jenna Saunders said: “It is wonderful for children to have the opportunity to work with authors of books they have read. This is a really inspiring way to bring literature into children's education. It is always exciting to learn from those who genuinely love what they do and are enthusiastic about sharing their passion for literature. ”For those who can’t make the workshops, the Festival continues over the weekend offering a children’s programme packed with storytelling, performance, author talks and workshops including two fantastic film animation sessions with Helen Piercy and a comic workshop with Phoenix Comics illustrator Neill Cameron. An impressive selection of children’s authors includes David Baddiel, Simon James, Tamsyn Murray, Joe Craig and Petr Horáček.   Stratford Literary Festival 25 April – 3 May SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON TICKETS FOR LOVEREADING4KIDS MEMBERS  AT Some of the country’s favourite and best-selling authors and illustrators for children feature in a stunning line-up for this year’s Stratford Literary Festival.             On Wednesday, 29th April, the Festival welcomes the multi-million best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson who will be delighting audiences with details of her best known books, as well as her new novel The Butterfly Club. Sunday, 2nd May is entirely given over to young audiences with a spectacular Children’s Day. An all-day ticket gives children aged 4 to 11 access to a variety of events from 10am until 4pm including the chance to meet the legendary Percy the Park Keeper writer Nick Butterworth, the hugely talented Chris Ridddell, and author/illustrator teams Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, Tracey Corderoy and Steve Lenton. Puppetcraft Theatre, led by puppeteer John Roberts, will be putting on its captivating show, Monkey, written my Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, and comic creator, Neill Cameron, will show children how to create their own comics.There will also be art workshops and story-telling with Festival favourites Sara Huxley-Edwards and Nikky Smedley.   The Festival’s Children’s Day is once again sponsored by Lodder’s solicitors and it all takes place at the Stratford Artshouse with all day tickets at £20. The on-site cafe will be serving coffee and refreshments all day. And young book-lovers haven’t been forgotten either. Throughout the Festival week, from Monday 27th April to Friday 1st May, there will be free story-telling and activity sessions for pre-schoolers from 9.30am until 11.30am with craft and reading and sessions lead by Story Vine, and local authors Julie Fulton and Sharon Hopwood.   LOVEREADING4KIDS members can claim a special discount of £1 OFF the full day ticket by quoting lovereading. For full details, go to stratlitfest.co.uk or call 01789 207100 to book tickets.