THE 7th TELEGRAPH
BATH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL
WELCOMES
GUEST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DAVID ALMOND
Friday 27 September – Sunday 6 October 2013
BOOKING HAS NOW OPENED FOR
THE LARGEST DEDICATED CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL IN
THE UK
FEATURING THE BEST CHILDREN’S
WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
INCLUDING:
MICHAEL ROSEN
NEWLY APPOINTED CHILDREN’S LAUREATE MALORIE BLACKMAN,
DRAGON TAMER CRESSIDA COWELL,
GRUFFALO ILLUSTRATOR AXEL SCHEFFLER,
ALSO JUDITH KERR, JEREMY STRONG, CHARLIE HIGSON,
MEG ROSOFF AND MANY, MANY MORE
“Come to our festival.
Meet people who really do believe that books, reading, writing and all forms of art
can change people’s lives” DAVID ALMOND
Booking has opened for The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival, the
largest dedicated children’s book festival in the country. Now in its 7th spectacular
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year and under the Guest Artistic Directorship of award-winning author David
Almond, this is a festival bursting at the seams with vibrant activity for children of all
ages, their teachers, families and friends.
David Almond who celebrates 15 years since the first publication of Skellig has
created a programme for Bath that puts children, their opinions, their concerns and
their creativity firmly at its heart.
Our YOUNG CURATORS choose, chair and debate a range of issues from food
safety to new technology in schools; the Holburne Museum hosts interactive
workshops for children from Horror Writing to book illustration and hundreds of
school children will gather throughout the week at the Guildhall for a full schools
programme of special events, launched by former Poet Laureate ANDREW
MOTION.
The new Children's Laureate MALORIE BLACKMAN comes back to Bath to talk
about her new book Noble Conflict; DAVID ALMOND will be in conversation with
veteran storyteller JUDITH KERR and hundreds of delighted fans will be able to see
Children’s Festival favourites MICHAEL ROSEN and CRESSIDA COWELL at
events in Bath’s largest venue, The Forum.
Authors writing for older children and young adults feature strongly in this year’s
programme including: EOIN COLFER, ANNE FINE, CHARLIE HIGSON,
SALLY
GARDNER,
GERALDINE
McCAUGHREAN,
ANTHONY
McGOWAN, ROBERT MUCHAMORE, MICHELLE PAVER, MEG ROSOFF,
LAUREN ST JOHN and Young Sherlock author ANDY LANE. American author
DAVID LEVITHAN makes a rare UK appearance; JOHN BOYNE, author of The
Boy in The Striped Pyjamas comes to talk about his new novel The Terrible Thing
that Happened to Barnaby Brockett and double Carnegie Medal winner PATRICK
NESS, talks about his new novel More Than This.
We delve into the fabulous world of children’s illustrators with our 2013 cover artist
EMILY GRAVETT, the ever-popular AXEL SCHEFFLER, creator of Bob The
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Builder CURTIS JOBLING, DAVID ROBERTS and artist, filmmaker and
musician DAVE McKEAN.
As well as 15 years of Skellig, we celebrate 10 years of Dirty Bertie with DAVID
ROBERTS, 10 years of RAINBOW MAGIC and the new illustrated edition of the
classic novel Five Children and It with illustrator ADAM STOWER.
As always, we welcome authors writing for young children as well as some old
favourites: CATHY CASSIDY introduces Cocoa Caramel, the latest in her
Chocolate Box Girls series; CAROLINE LAWRENCE transports us to the old Wild
West with PK Pinkerton and we meet Horrid Henry’s creator FRANCESCA SIMON.
KRISTINA STEPHENSON returns with the intrepid Sir Charlie Stinky Socks,
MITCHELL SYMONS asks important questions such as Is Eating Bogeys Good For
You? and ANGIE SAGE talks about writing the final book in the wonderful Septimus
Heap series.
Activities for very small children include story telling events at library venues in and
around Bath, with a special session on JUDITH KERR’S Mog The Cat series,
Winnie The Pooh and other favourites such as Spot the Dog, Maisy, The Hungry
Caterpillar and Pip and Posy. CBeebies star CERRIE BURNELL reads from her
book Snowflake and when CHLOE INKPEN brings her lovable characters Zoe and
Beans to Bath, her father MICK, creator Kipper and Wibbly Pig will make a special
appearance.
This year’s BIG BATH READ is DAVID ALMOND’s latest novel, The Boy Who
Swam With Piranhas.
David will also talk exclusively about his first book for
children, Skellig, in a dedicated event to mark the novel’s 15th anniversary.
The festival opens on Friday 27 September with a panel discussion on the topic of
children’s literature, its richness and diversity and its vital role in education. David is
joined on stage by author CRESSIDA COWELL, author and lecturer at Bath Spa
University JULIA GREEN and librarian GILL TRUEMAN. He will also lead an
all-day conference entitled CHILDREN AS READERS, CHILDREN AS WRITERS,
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inviting teachers, librarians and educators to celebrate and explore the creativity of
children and young people.
In ‘Pippi Langstrump to Pippi Longstocking’ DANIEL HAHN from the British
Centre for Literary Translation chairs a discussion on children’s literature in
translation with celebrated European writers KIM FUPZ AAKESON, BART
MOEYAERT and JANNNE TELLER.
The full programme is available to view at ww.bathfestivals.org.uk
Booking open 1 July. Ticket hotline: 01225 463362
FOR ALL PRESS INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
TAMSIN TREVERTON JONES: 01225 462231/07980 585664
tamsin.treverton-jones@bathfestivals.org.uk
About Bath Festivals
Bath Festivals brings leading international performers, writers and thinkers to Bath every year to inspire, entertain and challenge
audiences of all ages and artistic tastes. The festivals champion diversity and collaboration, open people's minds, and showcase
the work of both established and up-and-coming performers - all in the special setting that is Bath, a World Heritage Site, and
one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Bath Festivals is the charitable organisation responsible for the internationally acclaimed Bath International Music Festival, the
thought-provoking Independent Bath Literature Festival and the inspirational Telegraph Bath Festival of Children's
Literature. Bath Festivals provides year-round learning and participation opportunities for children, young people and adults
through creative workshops, gigs, and master classes.
Bath Festivals acts as a central hub for the arts in Bath and North East Somerset, serving over 120 festivals, events and local arts
organisations through the Bath Box Office, and supporting the Bath Area Cultural Forum. Bath Festivals earns a significant part
of its income from box office sales and sponsorship, and, since the creation of the music festival in 1948, has also relied on
grants, donations, and charitable giving in order to secure its national and international reputation and the contribution it brings to
Bath's creative and cultural life. Bath Festivals is funded by Arts Council England through its National Portfolio programme
and also receives support from Bath and North East Somerset Council.
ENDS
Creative Partner
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