The Festival of Children’s Literature, hosted annually by the Cornish town of St Austell, celebrates the joys of reading for everyone with a low entry fee of just £1.00 per event.
This year, the festival will take place between June 28 and 30.
Festival attendees can expect to be entertained and inspired by a line-up that includes acclaimed children’s authors and illustrators.
Names like Hannah Gold, Rob Biddulph, and Jenny McLachlan are expected to be present, amongst many others, hosting a range of events for children aged 0-12.
There will be interactive picture book readings, magic storytelling sessions, and even a cat disco.
Older children can participate in sharing their self-written stories, drawing cartoons, and asking the visiting authors questions regarding their work and writing process.
Intriguingly, for graphic novel enthusiasts, Neill Cameron will lead a comic strip workshop.
Illustrating the diversity of these events, a group of accomplished authors will discuss nature writing and world-building styles.
To add further joy to the occasion, A.F Steadman – author of the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling Skandar series – has confirmed that she will be the first patron of the festival.
Ms Steadman expressed her excitement saying: “I’m really honoured to be the first patron of the St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature.
“The work Simon Pollard and his team are doing is simply vital at a time when encouraging reading for pleasure has been more important than ever.
“It’s a privilege to be supporting a festival with both improved literacy and book-filled fun at the core of everything it does.”
Before the public days during the weekend, a dedicated Schools Day will take place on Friday, June 28 where more than 2,000 students are expected to take part.
The complete festival program can be viewed online, and tickets are now on sale through the Cornish Riviera Box Office. More information can be found at the St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature website or on the festival’s social media accounts.
