Cheltenham Literature Festival for children

5 to 14 October – The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2007 is set to be a fun-filled nine days for the whole family, with a host of children’s events to entertain all ages.

For budding bookworms and little literature lovers Cheltenham Literature Festival’s ‘Book It!’ series of events and activities will bring a smile to the faces of children and parents alike.

With storytelling and puppet shows for the nippers to discussions with acclaimed authors for older readers, there’s sure to be something to spark young imaginations at this year’s festival.

Don’t miss Cheltenham Literature Festival 2007’s highlights for children and families with SoGlos.com’s guide to the must-do events:

Friday 5 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

The hilariously funny children’s author Jeremy Strong will be reading from his favourite books and bringing his characters to life, for 5 to 8 year olds, at the Café Theatre from 4pm.

For older readers aged 13+ celebrated author Nick Hornby will be talking about Slam, his first novel for teenagers, at the Book It! Tent from 5.30pm.

Saturday 6 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

For little girls aged 4 to 6 Angelina Ballerina will be brought to life by a real ballerina and storytelling from creator Katherine Holabird, at the Café Theatre from 10.30am and 2pm.

All the family, including children aged 6 and above and adults, can enjoy Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen’s performance of his favourite poems, at the Garden Theatre from 10am.

Master of fantasy Terry Pratchett will also be discussing his Discworld series for fans young and old, at The Everyman Theatre from 12pm.

Sunday 7 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Children aged 4 to 6 will inevitably enjoy Elmer the Elephant’s star appearance at his birthday party, with stories, games and cake, at the Café Theatre from 11.15am and 2.15pm.

Budding spies aged 10 and above will be detecting their way to the Mission Impossible? event, where they will hear tales of intrigue and conspiracy theories from authors David Gillman and Steve Voake, at the Book It! Tent from 11.30am.

While the whole family will enjoy hearing from acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy Hawking about their new book George’s Secret Key to the Universe, at The Centaur from 11.30am.

Monday 8 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Little ones can tap along with three teddies and sing along with Cinderella, as storytellers Kaye Umansky and Helen MacGregor entertain those aged between 3 and 6, at the Café Theatre from 4pm.

Tuesday 9 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Pop-up creator Paul Stickland will be holding a fun-filled Dinosaur Roar session for those aged between 3 and 6, at the Café Theatre from 4pm.

Wednesday 10 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks will be brought to life for fans aged 4 to 7 by author Kristina Stephenson, at the Café Theatre from 4pm.

Thursday 11 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

One of the nation’s best loved poets John Foster will be reading aloud from his highly successful anthologies for children aged 3 to 6, at the Café Theatre from 4pm.

Friday 12 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

For the smallest readers Baby Bookworms is an event for parents and babies aged 4 to 9 months to enjoy together, featuring an interactive session of practical advice and fun, at the Café Theatre from 2pm and 3pm.

Hard-hitting thriller writers Graham Marks, Matt Whyman and Sam Mills will be discussing Terrorism & Surveillance for children aged 12 and above and adults, at the Book It! Tent from 5.30pm.

Saturday 13 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Children aged 4 to 7 should hop along to an interactive Peter Rabbit puppet show featuring a cast of Peter’s friends, at the Café Theatre from 2pm.

This is one for the boys – children aged 10 and above and adults can hear SAS Sergeant Chris Ryan talk about his action-packed life and new book Outbreak, at Cheltenham College Junior School from 4.45pm.

Girls aged 11 and above meanwhile can join writers Cathy Hopkins and Grace Dent for a frank and honest look at teen life, at the Book It! Tent from 5.30pm.

Sunday 14 October 2007 at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Best-selling children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson and illustrator Nick Sharratt will be talking to children aged 8 and above – and adults too – about how they work together and their new book The Kiss, at The Main Hall from 10am.

In a rare appearance children’s poet Michael Morpurgo will be bringing his First Work War story Private Peaceful to life for children aged 11 and above and adults, at the Everyman Theatre from 11.45am.

For some interactive family fun, children aged 7 and above can find out how the RSC’s Wigs and Make-up department transform their actors for the stage, at Bacon Theatre from 12pm.

For the young – and young at heart – Cheltenham Literature Festival has never been better at catering for children and families. Plus with so many people flocking to Gloucestershire to take advantage of the world class events, it would be a shame to miss out on the fun held on our very doorsteps.

Event: Cheltenham Literature Festival 2007 for children
Venue: Locations across Cheltenham
Dates: Friday 5 to Sunday 14 October 2007
Times: Vary according to individual events
Tickets: Vary in price and are available in advance from cheltenhamfestivals.com or by calling the Literature Festival box office on (01242) 227979. Booking ahead is highly recommended.

SoGlos.com
21 September 2007