YOUNG READERS have a feast of fun awaiting them thanks to the second-ever Wokingham Children’s Book Festival.
The event, a collaboration between Wokingham borough libraries, Wokingham Town Council and WHSmith, will be taking place in the town hall in Market Place and the Denmark Street library over the weekend of October 19-20.
The line-up includes a mixture of hugely talented authors, amazing illustrators and inspirational storytellers, all with one aim: to help children discover the best books and learn about the creative processes behind creating them.
Tony Bradman, winner the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award for his novel Anglo-Saxon Boy, will be hosting the session on Saturday afternoon, where he will be sharing the story of Beowulf, the inspiration for his eagerly awaited new book Winter of the Wolves.
Holly Webb, author of amazing Star and The Runaway, will be also be dropping by on the Saturday afternoon to host a session ‘Winter Animal Stories with Holly Webb’ where she will be sharing the inspiration behind her latest incredible book ”Star”.
There will be some fantastic session taking place on the Sunday as well with author Nadine Kaadan hosting a story and drawing workshop ‘Tomorrow’s a story from Syria with Nadine Kaadan’, which is about the daily life of a little boy during the Syrian conflict.
“We are delighted to once again put on the Wokingham Children’s Book Festival thanks to the support of a number of local partners including .morearts and WHSmith. The Town Hall and Library will be full of inspirational authors ready and waiting to capture your imagination and transport you into the heart of their stories,” said Cllr Sally Gurney, chairperson of arts and culture at Wokingham Town Council.
“I’ve been an avid reader all my life and the Children’s Book Festival is a way of sharing that joy with others. I hope it helps kindle a love of books in all those who attend.”
Whether you are a budding writer, interested in developing characters, a bit of a poet, a fan of picture books or simply love illustration, then the Wokingham Children’s Book Festival will have something for you.
“It is fantastic to see the children’s book festival back and I am really pleased to see that we can offer even more sessions for all our children to enjoy,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council.
“This year Wokingham Borough libraries are filled even more with wonderful books to explore and we’ve got some fantastic authors and illustrators coming along to offer a really unique experience for our children to take advantage of.
“I am sure the children and families will enjoy hearing the authors speak about their work and appreciate the opportunity to buy signed copies of their books afterwards.
“With over 20 sessions, there should be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Tickets are selling fast and booking is highly recommended. Further information, including how to reserve your space, is available at www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/bookfest where you can take a look at what’s on offer and book your places today.
