Press Release: Events
Book It! The Festival For Families & Young Readers
Posted at 7:17AM Friday 04 Sep 2009
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns on its 60th anniversary with Book It!, a programme of highly acclaimed and hugely popular events designed specifically for children. David Walliams, Anthony Browne, Anthony Horowitz, Charlie Higson, Lauren Child, Michael Rosen and Anne Fine are just some of the many household names to grace this year's programme. With a wonderful variety of authors, illustrators and many more, the 60th anniversary of The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival looks set to be the most exciting to date. This year's Book It! is delighted to welcome world-famous comedian, actor and writer David Walliams on his first visit to Cheltenham. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to meet him, and hear the Little Britain star talk about how it feels to be a published children's author and what inspired his extraordinary and wonderful debut novel, The Boy in the Dress! Book It! is also thrilled to welcome the newly crowned Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne, alongside three other inspirational former Laureates. Join in with him playing his immensely popular interactive Shape Game, whilst multi award–winning author Anne Fine introduces her highly entertaining new novel, Eating Things On Sticks. With his boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm Michael Rosen, and best-loved author Michael Morpurgo will join popular illustrator Axel Scheffler as they bring to life, in words and pictures, their favourite poems from the new edition of T S Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats; an un-missable event for all the family! Michael Morpurgo will also join this year's Book It! Illustrator Chris Riddell and Julia Eccleshare, editor of 1001 Children's Books to Read Before You Grow Up, for a nostalgic look at favourite books from childhood – bring along a personal favourite! Jane Churchill, Book It! Director comments: 'We are incredibly excited about this year's Book It! programme and believe that there is truly something for everyone – from our Guest Director Anthony Horowitz, to some rare appearances by Hilary McKay and Maisy creator Lucy Cousins; from Children's Laureate and beloved illustrator Anthony Browne to a panel on graphic novels. Whatever age you are, you'll find something to enjoy in Cheltenham this autumn.' Fancy spies, adventure and horror? Then prepare to be chilled to the bone by Charlie Higson, creator of the Young Bond series and author of the zombie thriller The Enemy, and Anthony Horowitz, Alex Rider creator, author of Necropolis and Book It! Guest Director. To continue the theme of thrills and chills, this year's Breaking The Rules strand – targeted toward teenagers – includes a discussion with Justin Somper, the bestselling author of Vampirates, and author of Shiver, American Maggie Stiefvater about the good, the terrifying and the compellingly attractive sides to vampires and werewolves. Which would you rather meet on a dark night? For something a little less spooky, celebrate ten years of Clarice Bean with Charlie & Lola creator Lauren Child, as well as her My Life is a Story campaign for UNESCO's Programme for the Education of Children in Need. Younger bookworms should expect lots of games, songs and activities with storyteller Justine de Mierre in the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the world's bestselling picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar; a journey with author Julia Donaldson into the deep dark wood to wish The Gruffalo 'Happy Birthday!'; and a rare chance to meet Lucy Cousins, creator of everyone's favourite mouse, Maisy! For the more hands-on book lovers, a variety of Write On! workshops for ages ranging from 6-16 will be available. Whether it be designing a cover for your favourite book with illustrator extraordinaire David Roberts, creating your own picture book or learning how to create suspense in your own detective story with Saxby Smart creator Simon Cheshire, there is a huge variety for everyone.
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