KIDS LIT LOOK-OUT

Children’s literature festival

Motivational speaker Stuart Lawrence The nation’s favourite fitness expert Joe Wicks Environmentalist and race activist Mya-Rose Craig Images: Joe Wicks by Conor McDonnell, Rob Biddulph by Kitty Biddulph

Bath Festival’s Children’s Literature Festival this autumn welcomes stars and creatives including Cressida Cowell, Sophie Dahl, Chris Smith and Greg James, Liz Pichon, Jasbinder Bilan, Stephen Mangan, Rob Biddulph and Joe Wicks

There’s something for everyone at this autumn’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which brings a host of writers and illustrators to the city for live, interactive events for young people of all ages.

Europe’s largest stand-alone children’s book festival returns with stars including Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series, who will be spellbinding audiences on the magic of wizards and dragons.

Other figures include Irish comedian David O’Doherty who returns to the festival with his new novel, The Summer I Robbed a Bank. Actor Stephen Mangan has teamed up with his illustrator sister Anita Mangan to create a fast-paced action novel Escape the Rooms for nine to 12-year-old readers, described as ‘where The Crystal Maze meets Alice in Wonderland.’

Illustrators Steven Lenton (Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series) and Dapo Adeola (Look Up! and Clean Up!) bring their new characters and drawings to Bath (Dapo has illustrated a new picture book by Malorie Blackman), while #DrawWithRob internet sensation Rob Biddulph will lead a drawalong event for all the family inspired by his Monster Madness book and new middle grade adventure Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City.

And joining the festival for the first time are sporting stars from Bath Rugby, bringing their energy and know-how to a fact-packed, fast-paced sporty event based on the book Rampaging Rugby. Also coming is the nation’s favourite PE teacher and global fitness phenomenon Joe Wicks whose creations The Burpee Bears will spring to life through Joe’s own go-getting attitude.

Silliness and fun abound with the latest adventures of Supertato – Supertato: Night of the Living Veg, brought to us by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, while Kristina Stephenson’s The Museum of Marvellous Things is an interactive theatrical show.

The festival reflects the interests and concerns of young people. Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer turned children’s writer who addresses the anxieties that children may have about the world in Good News: Why the World is Not as Bad as You Think, giving tips and advice on how to seek out positive facts and how to spot fake news. Naturalist, environmentalist and race activist Dr Mya-Rose Craig aka Birdgirl will be talking about Dream to Reality: Protecting the Planet, exploring how we can support the young people of colour demanding change to protect the world for the future.

Stuart Lawrence is the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack at the age of 18 in 1993. Now an educator and motivational speaker, Stuart aims to help young people harness the good in themselves and in the world around them, using the fire of positivity to create change.

Superstar author-illustrator Liz Pichon is also returning to the festival to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her character Tom Gates and the hilarious duo Chris Smith and Greg James will return to share their new adventure The Great Dream Robbery.

Parents introducing children to live book events will be delighted to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar story time and craft, while older children and young adults can listen to a playlist with a twist, exploring the History of Modern Black Britain in 28 Songs with teacher and music enthusiast Jeffrey Boakye.

This year the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute in Queen Square, Bath, is playing a part in the festival, opening its doors to families for a day-long series of drop-in sessions on Saturday 2 October, giving young paleontologists an opportunity to explore items from the institute’s globally renowned collections. And their Digital Discovery Trail will be running all week.

There will also be a special book corner in The Forum Coffee House to drop into between events for book-themed pop-up sessions. n

Newton Farm’s 42oz côte de boeuf (for 2)

bathfestivals.org.uk

Rob Biddulph from the #DrawWithRob series, with his dog Ringo