Autumn Children's Book Festival News

There’s a bumper crop of children’s book festivals to choose from this autumn; win Roald Dahl tickets at Henley Literary Festival (26 Sept-2 Oct), Bath Children’s Literature Festival (1-9 Oct), Wigtown Book Festival (23 Sept-2 Oct), Chiswick Book Festival (15-19 Sept) and Jersey Festival of Words (28 Sept-2 Oct). ___________________________________________________________________________________________ HENLEY LITERARY FESTIVAL - 26 September-2 October   WIN A FAMILY TICKET (2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN) TO THE ROALD DAHL EVENT On Friday 30 September at 4.30pm Some of the UK’s favourite children writers will appear at the 10^th annual Henley Literary Festival this autumn with over 50 events for children and families include Lucy Worsley, Julian Clary, One Show reporter Mike Dilger and Tiger Who Came To Tea creator Judith Kerr, as well as special Harry Potter and Roald Dahl events.   Don’t be biffsquiggled! Win a family ticket to come and join word wizards Fiona Ross and Sarah-Jane Arbury as they swashboggle their way through the wonderful writing of Roald Dahl. Through games and performance find out how to gobblefunk with words and find out about the amazing new Roald Dahl Dictionary. Suitable for ages 7+ taking place in the Kenton Theatre on Friday 30 September at 4.30pm.   Click here to enter our free prize draw: we have a family ticket (for 2 adults and 2 children) to give away to the Roald Dahl event on Friday 30 September at 4.30pm. Please note that this draw is open only for UK residents and is free to enter. Multiple entries from the same email address will only be counted once and the prize cannot be exchanged for cash and does not include transport or accommodation. Draw closes on 29 August 2016. The winners will be chosen randomly from all entrants and will be notified by 2 September 2016. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ THE BATH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL - Saturday 1 October - Sunday 9 October HAPPY 10^TH BIRTHDAY TO THE BATH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL 9 DAYS and OVER 100 EVENTS FEATURING THE BEST CHILDREN’S AND TEEN AUTHORS, INCREDIBLE ILLUSTRATORS, FAVOURITE CHARACTERS, PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLERS AND THE BIGGEST NAMES IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FROM ACROSS THE WORLD including: David Walliams, Liz Pichon, Chris Hadfield, Michael Morpurgo, Malorie Blackman & Simon Mayo, Chris Riddell, Chris Hoy, Nick Sharratt, Chris Packham, Clare Balding, Julian Clary, Lucy Worsley, Axel Scheffler, Andy Day, Cerrie Burnell, Sam and Mark, Lucy Cousins & Maisy, Frances Hardinge and so many more….   The Bath Children’s Literature Festival will celebrate their 10^th birthday with an outstanding line-up of well known and much loved authors and illustrators.   Over the last 10 years, the festival has seen over 2,500 events, some 600 school events in central Bath and further afield, and a staggering ¼ million kids and families attending from a demographic range of 50,000 miles. That’s the equivalent of flying around the globe - twice!   To mark this special occasion, the festival’s aim is to create a legacy that will inspire children to read, write, draw and develop their creativity. There are many events for children to participate in such as The Big Bath Read, which encourages children to read and discuss the book Hamish and the Worldstoppers written by Danny Wallace and illustrated by Jamie Littler. There will be an array of creative writing masterclasses including a Dr Who adventure with the author of several Dr Who novels and audio dramas, Andrew Lane; a journalism workshop run the by children’s newspaper, First News; a poetry workshop with performance poet, Joseph Coelho from CBeebies Rhyme Rocket; a collage workshop with award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup and writing workshops hosted by Skellig author, David Almond and MA Writing for Young People course director, Julia Green.   The festival is for children of all ages, from 18 months up to 18 years. This year’s young adult (YA) programme includes an extensive range of events including a discussion between Malorie Blackman and Simon Mayo about all things YA; best-selling author of the Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas; Cecelia Ahern and Sophie Kinsella who make their debut into the world of YA and acclaimed and prize-winning author of The Book of Dead Days, Marcus Sedgwick, to name but a few.”   2016 is also an important year for many of the festival’s authors. Peter Rabbit will be celebrating 150 years of Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl’s 100^th year will be marked with a workshop to decide his most villainous villain, Winnie-the-Pooh will reach the ripe old age of 90 and Maisy the Mouse celebrates her 25^th birthday. Many happy returns!   Tickets are now on sale. To purchase tickets call the Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 or book online at www.bathfestivals.org.uk.   Book tickets and view the full programme. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BathFestivals. Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bathfestivals (@Bathfestivals) #BathKidsLitFest. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL 23 September - 2 October Every autumn thousands of people descend on a small town in Dumfries and Galloway to experience Scotland’s greatest literary party. Now in its 18^th year, the award-winning festival has more than 240 events and activities for all ages across its 10 days, including 35 especially for the 0-12 age group and a dedicated young people’s festival for 13-25s. It has featured many of our most loved children’s authors from Scotland and beyond and this year includes Vivian French, Chae Strathie, Theresa Breslin, Debi Gliori, Philip Ardagh and many more. There are storytelling sessions, workshops and play activities for children, as well as panel debates, dinners and arts events to entertain and inspire the adults. Anne Barclay, Operational Director of Wigtown Festival Company, organises the children’s festival with input from parents, teachers and children. She says, “We’re really excited about all of the fantastic events we have planned for this year. We have a dedicated venue in Wigtown Primary School which will be decorated beyond recognition and has great facilities all in one place. We’re especially looking forward to our James and the Giant Peach reading den which has been made by local artist Julie Houston.” As Scotland’s National Book Town, Wigtown offers the perfect space to explore fresh ideas for the whole family – just one reason why it has grown to become the biggest Scottish book festival outside the central belt. Come and join us and inspire our next generation of readers and writers. Full programme launches in August, for information and tickets visit www.wigtownbookfestival.com. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ CHISWICK BOOK FESTIVAL 15-19 September Top comedy writers and performers will bring a fresh look to the 8th Chiswick Book Festival, alongside many of Britain's best-loved novelists, non-fiction writers and children's authors. Andy Hamilton, Shappi Khorsandi and Mark Watson will talk about their new novels, while the creators of the best-selling 'Ladybirds for Grown-Ups' series, Joel Morris and Jason Hazely, will preview their latest 'How To...' books due out this autumn. Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Cressida Cowell head the Children's Book Festival line-up, talking about their bestsellers and introducing their latest books. Children will also be entertained by Jonathan Meres (World of Norm), Rob Biddulph (Odd Dog Out) and the Really Big Pants Theatre Company.   All this and much more will take place at the 8th Chiswick Book Festival from September 15 to 19, 2016, in a variety of venues close to Turnham Green tube station on the District Line. The Festival is a non-profit-making community event, raising money for reading-related charities and St Michael & All Angels Church, which organises the Festival. The full programme is published at the end of July, when tickets go on sale at www.chiswickbookfestival.net. You can follow updates and join in the conversation on Twitter @W4BookFest #ChiswickBookFest. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ JERSEY FESTIVAL OF WORDS 28 September-2 October The children’s programme for the second Jersey Festival of Words will feature leading writers including former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Jersey Festival of Words, when thousands of Island children and young adults had the chance to experience top authors at close quarters, there will once again be an extensive schools programme offering free tickets to all schools across Jersey. Sponsored by the One Foundation, it will feature the entertaining performance poet and writer A.F.Harrold, Jim Smith, author of the Barry Loser series, Chris Bradford’s spectacular Young Samurai and Young Bodyguard shows and for young adults, William Sutcliffe and Eugene Lambert.   For further information and the full line up visit: www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org