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 7 th 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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