Little bookworms will once again be inspired and entertained by a colourful group of celebrated authors and illustrators this spring, as the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival returns to the Welsh capital over two weekends in March and April (Saturday 30th March – Sunday 7th April).
The award-winning festival is set to host more than 50 events to attend including writing workshops, book readings, craft activities and games across Cardiff’s most iconic venues such as Cardiff Castle, Cardiff City Hall and Cardiff Central Library.
Aimed at children aged three to 11, the festival celebrates literature in a fun and imaginative way and aims to create lifelong readers.
The festival programme includes an inspirational line up including BBC Wales broadcaster and presenter, Lucy Owen to talk about her book The Sea House at the Old Library. “It’s amazing that Cardiff has this literature festival and I love the idea of bringing books to life,” says Lucy, who has been an avid reader from a young age. “From the authors to the illustrators, there’s so much for children and their parents and I just can’t wait to be part of it. I’ll be there with the fantastic illustrator Rebecca Harry who was responsible for the whole design aspect of my new book and there’s definitely going to be a sing-a-long too!”
The festival will host a number of Welsh and English literary craft workshops, reading sessions and a special session with resident artist and author of Ble Mae Boc, Huw Aaron, to create mythical creatures and monster comics.
From a family of book-worms and growing up reading doodling, Huw said a big chunk of his earliest memories were in front of a book or putting pen to paper: “I love seeing children (and parents) as excited by reading as I am! The Festival provides the chance for children to meet favourite authors and illustrators to not only learn more about how they come up with the stories they write, but also to show that they’re real people – and that making stories for a living IS possible. An important message which will hopefully inspire visitors to push on with their own writing and drawing.”
Other festival highlight includes a special event with Ade Adepitan – Paralympian and TV Presenter and author of his latest book Amazing Ade-ventures! Speaking on his career as a children’s author, Ade said: “I loved reading as a child and literature festivals are a great way to get children engaged with books.”
The festival programme also includes a literature session with Jon Roberts, a Swansea-based author who published his first book, Through the Eyes of Me, written as a dedication to his then 4-year-old daughter Kya who has been diagnosed with severe autism. Jon said on the overall festival experience: “The festival is a fun two weeks allowing young readers to meet their favourite authors, it will allow them to ask questions about the books and learn about different styles of books that are available for them to read. Reading is so important and the younger the person enjoying books the better.”
Festival goers will have the chance to enter the crazy and famous world of Lady Mary, daughter of Henry VIII with TV historian Lucy Worsley OBE; and to participate in a Welsh creative writing workshop with Welsh language writer Manon Steffan Ros where she will also be talking about her book with Welsh international midfielder, Joe Allen.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: “2019 marks the seventh annual Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival, an event which ensures to captivate young readers and provides an exciting programme of events during an impressive two-week festival. The festival has grown each year and continues to inspire and engage children of all ages, promoting the love of books and reading.”
The established Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival 2019 is fun for the whole family with over a week of English and Welsh language events taking place across the city. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.cardiffkidslitfest.com / www.gwylllenplantcaerdydd.com
