Big names for book festival
Bath Children’s Literature Festival will bring a host of writers and illustrators to the city for live, interactive events.
The event, Europe’s largest stand-alone children’s book festival, returns this year from Friday, September 24 to Sunday, October 3 with some big stars in its line-up.
In attendance will be Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell (creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series), Irish comedian David O’doherty with his new novel The Summer I Robbed a Bank and actor Stephen Mangan who has teamed up with his illustrator sister Anita Mangan to create a fast-paced action novel for nine to 12-year-old readers.
Illustrators Steven Lenton and Dapo Adeola bring their new characters and drawings to Bath, while #Drawwithrob internet sensation Rob Biddulph will lead a drawalong event for all the family inspired by his actionpacked book Monster Madness and new middle grade adventure Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City.
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.
The nation’s favourite PE teacher and global fitness phenomenon, Joe Wicks, the man who got so many families through lockdown, will also be appearing. 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 that will be enjoyed by children and grown-ups too.
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 and to realise that Silence is Not an Option.
For the first time Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute in Queen Square, Bath, is playing a part in the festival. It will open its doors to families for drop-in sessions on Saturday, October 2, giving young paleontologists a chance to explore items from the institute’s world renowned collections.
Tickets go on general release on Friday, July 30. Sign up at www. bathfestivals.org.uk/ support-us to get priority booking from Tuesday, July 27.