Book festival aims to boost home school
A digital books programme set up by Bath Children’s Literature Festival is lending a helping hand to home schoolers
The Reading is Magic Festival, featuring a top line-up of children and young adults’ writers and illustrators, is expanding its free streaming service to give home schoolers an extra helping hand for the duration of the lockdown.
Festival organisers used its creativity when it realised it wasn’t able to put on a live festival for kids last autumn, inviting a host of writers to film themselves putting on a variety of events, from simple storytelling to heartfelt monologues sharing their own experiences.
The autumn festival reached more than 155,000 children in some 30 countries. The initial plan was to start recouping some of the costs to arts charity Bath Festivals by charging to view the 25 events from the beginning of the month but in light of current social restrictions, partial school closures and return to home schooling, it was decided to extend the free access period until the end of lockdown.
To enjoy free access use the promo code FREEMAGICBCLF at readingismagicfestival.com when you sign up.
Reading is Magic was supported by Cressida Cowell, creator of the How to Train Your Dragon series and the Waterstones UK Children’s Laureate, who also features in the festival. And each festival event is introduced by CBBC star Karim Zeroual, inset.
Highlights include:
Storytime
Join Kristina Stephenson for a visual session telling the story of her character Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and The Tale of Two Treasures. Or snuggle down with American writer and illustrator Jessica Love as she reads her book Julian is a Mermaid.
Inter-active sessions
Grab a pen and pencil and learn how to draw a cartoon version of yourself with Adam Murphy, creator of Corpse Talk, or draw along with The Big Draw Off as illustrators Steve Lenton and Sophy Henn battle it out to see who can create the best picture. Or try tackling some tongue-twisters with poet Joseph Coelho.
Big issues
Listen to activist, model and writer Eunice Olumide in conversation with Malizah, a young activist from Bristol about their experiences of the black curriculum in schools. Or hear author of A Kind of Spark, Elle Mcnicoll speak about representation in books.
Laugh out loud
For sheer silliness watch Sue Hendon and Paul Linnet of Supertato and No-bot, or dive into the world of dinner ladies with author Pamela Buchart who also talks about book Icarus was Ridiculous.
Festival organisers Bath Festivals joined forces with Bradford Literature Festival, Borders Book Festival, Boswell Book Festival, North Cornwall Book Festival, Wigtown Book Festival, and Toronto International Festival of Authors to put on more than 25 events over six days. Reading is Magic Festival is supported by Bath Spa University, Bath Recreation, Bath Business Improvement District, Kingswood School, Bath, Novia and Arts Council England.