Books / Children's Books
Bristol schools to take part in Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2024
Europe’s largest children’s literature festival returns to Bath on September 27 for a 10-day programme of more than 80 interactive events aimed at young readers.
With participation from Bristol schools already confirmed for the specially curated weekday schools programme, Bath Children’s Literature Festival will host a huge number of popular YA and children’s authors for talks, readings and workshops in everything from creative writing and illustrating to working in the publishing industry.
Tickets for a huge range of public events are now on sale, featuring well-known writers and personalities including poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell, the creator of the globally successful How to Train Your Dragon series, acclaimed picture book writer and illustrator Rob Biddulph, and children’s literary royalty, Jacqueline Wilson.
Louie Stowell: Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to… book series
Other highlights include Louie Stowell discussing her hugely popular Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to… books, actor and comedian turned children’s author Ben Miller presenting his newest adventure, Robin Hood Aged 10 ¾, and an evening of Doctor Who events featuring some stars of the long-running series.
Fellow comedians and authors Adam Kay, Harry Hill, Russell Kane and Richard Ayoade will be amongst the other featured festival guests, as well as former Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock, natural history broadcaster Hamza Yassin, and beloved illustrator and longtime collaborator of Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler.
Adam Kay, Dexter Proctor: The 10-year-old Doctor
Across consecutive festival weekends, a special Illustrators Café will be set up for families at Waterstones, featuring ‘how-to-draw’ events and activities with the help of illustrators in residence: Alice Tait, Luke Scriven, Conor Busuttil and Rhian Wright.
Curated by John and Gill McLay, who also founded the event back in 2007, the festival is, in their own words – “all about having fun.
Creative Writing Masterclass: Weaving Stories from Your Own History, with Jasmine Richards
“Post-lockdown,” says Gill, “we are hearing more and more about children’s reading abilities falling and the learning gap that Covid has left behind.
“As a result, it feels more important than ever to host live events with authors and illustrators to help children discover the joy in reading and creativity and offer families the opportunity to ignite their children’s imagination with books.”
Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2024 is in venues across Bath from September 27-October 6. For more information and ticket links to all events, visit www.bathfestivals.org.uk and follow @BathKidsLitFest on socials.
All photos: Bath Children’s Literature Festival
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