Childrens Book Festival in Wokingham This Half Term
Childrens Book Festival
With the half term school holidays just around the corner, there is still time to book onto some of the fantastic events happening at the Wokingham Children’s Book Festival (October 20 and 21).
So far more than 400 tickets have been sold and it’s a great chance for Wokingham’s children to meet 23 authors and illustrators, who will bring stories to life through fun, interactive workshops which are running throughout the whole weekend.
This is the first time so many authors, illustrators and self-professed “bookworms” have visited the town and it promises to have your children laughing and igniting their imagination.
Weekend Highlights
Highlights of the weekend include award-winning Geraldine McCaughrean who will be revealing how and why she writes and the fun to be got from it at a workshop on Sunday October 21 at 1pm.
Geraldine has written more than 170 books, published in 61 countries and her work has been translated into over 45 languages. Probably best known for her official sequel Peter Pan in Scarlet, she is also a three-time recipient of the Whitbread/Costa Children’s Book Award, the Michael L. Printz Award and a double Carnegie Medal winner, most recently for her book: When The World Ends; which follows men and boys stranded on a sea stack after their rescue boat fails to arrive. Tickets costs £3 and must be booked in advance.
The Tales of Snow and Storm workshop is being run by author Chitra Soundar at Wokingham Library on Sunday October 21 (11.30am to 12.15pm).
Chitra is a closet clown, consummate liar, writer and storyteller. As a kid, she danced in a Bollywood movie, acted on stage with her neighbourhood friends and disliked Maths because it never added up. Chitra grew up on a wholesome diet of stories from Indian epics and folk wisdom. She hangs out in schools, libraries and bookshops making up stories with children and regaling everyone with tales from her books and her childhood.
Join her for storytelling from her books ‘You’re Safe With Me’ and ‘You’re Snug With Me’ as well as a fun colouring activity. Tickets cost £3 and must be booked in advance.
Workshops
This is just a snippet of some of talks and interactive workshops taking place which span a wide age range with events suitable for 3 to 12 years old. All workshops are listed on Wokingham Town Council’s website at http://wokingham-tc.gov.uk/bookfest. Please book your place now as spaces are limited.
Each workshop is followed by a book signing and WHSmith of Wokingham is the official bookseller with stalls at each venue. The festival is brought to you by Wokingham Town Council, Wokingham Borough Council’s libraries service and ‘more arts.’
Comment
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, libraries and leisure, said: “It’s not long now until the very first Children’s Book festival comes to Wokingham. It promises to be a fun-packed weekend and with over 20 events taking place there is something for everyone. I can’t think of a better way to start the half term holidays.
“Our Borough libraries are filled with wonderful books to explore, so getting to meet some of the authors and illustrators is a really unique experience for our children to take advantage of. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.”
Further information
Wokingham Childrens Book Festival leaflet
