Spacemen, Tigers And A Huge Party To Take Over Beverley Library

It’s time for Beverley Children’s Literature Festival!

A host of northern-based authors and artists will be bringing Beverley Library to life with adventure, singing and poetry, as part of Beverley Literature Festival’s exciting children’s programme for 2015, sponsored by Beverley Building Society. From Saturday 3rd October to Sunday 4th October, young readers and budding writers can take part in storytelling, crafty activities, drawing and writing workshops. Children and the young at heart all welcome!

Festival director, Dorcas Taylor, said:

“I am really excited about this year’s children’s festival. There’s so much going on to bring books alive for pre-school and primary school children. Our children’s programme has been created by Rachel Price who has a background in children’s theatre, so expect some surprises!”

All the children’s events take place at Beverley Library – the best possible location to encourage young readers to develop a love of books. Kimberley Harston, librarian at Beverley Library, said:

“The festival programme this year is absolutely fantastic. There is so much going on that encourages children and their families to read and enjoy books together. We all know that to encourage a love of books with stories and rhymes helps to develop children’s early literacy skills and is essential for their future and Beverley Library has a wide range of books to choose from as well as being a welcoming and encouraging place to be.”

In store for Saturday we’ve got internationally renowned storyteller, Mara Menzies, whisking her young audience off on an adventure to Africa. Through lots of games and activities it’s then over to them to create their own storytelling show for their family and friends.

We’re over the moon to have Blue Peter’s Book of the Year winner Simon Bartram with us and his spaceman friend, Bob, the moon’s very own caretaker. Simon will be reading from his collection of out-of-this-world storybooks, and giving a masterclass on how to draw the best aliens in the universe.

As part of Dyslexia Awareness Week, young fans of the Bob, Man on the Moon series will have the chance to get their copies signed by the author himself! Simon will be signing books at Andrew and Rogers Optometrists in Beverley.

Optometrist Roger Smyth approached Beverley Literature Festival because he wanted to organise an event to support children with dyslexia and to highlight the resources that are available to help them.

He said:

“I read Simon’s great book, Dougal’s Deep-Sea Diary, to my kids when they were small and it was brilliant… his books have such great illustrations, and are really colourful, they make a perfect focus to help reluctant and dyslexic readers engage with literature.”

Stand by for mayhem on the streets of Beverley as young, talented Northern Lights Theatre Company are let loose with their new street theatre experience. Your mundane Saturday shopping trip will be transformed into a mêlée of fun and laughs by everybody’s favourite children’s book characters – can you spot yours?

Due to high demand, we’re also welcoming back the Stephen Joseph Theatre Outreach team for comedy gardening capers with their new Tiny Time Tales production of Jim in the Garden.

Join us in the library for a party with lots of singing, rhymes and cake with children’s author Alan Windram and his farmer friend, Mac and clever dog, Bob. If little ones are tired after all that, then it’s time to snuggle up with teddy for a bedtime story from storymaker Miss Trout, who’ll be telling her highly original adventure story through poems and puppetry. A visual feast!

We have Hoglets kick-starting Sunday’s events, showing us that it’s never to early to start introducing children to literature. There will be storytelling and craft-making sessions for babies and toddlers, followed by a free arts and crafts drop-in for all children who like to get messy and creative. Celebrating alongside Beverley Food and Drink Festival the very same day, Hoglets will be inviting an enormous stripy cat to their tea party in The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Next up, let imaginations run wild and learn new writing skills as author Faye Hanson leads budding young writers through her Wondering Workshop.

To close the weekend of literary delight, discover the power of wearing a moustache as we proudly introduce Andrea Heaton with her debut children’s book, Molly’s Marvellous Moustache. Make your own moustache and learn a thing or two about growing up. Who says moustaches are just for men?

For more information or to book tickets visit www.bevlit.org, call 01482 392699 or book in person from Beverley Library.