Children’s Book Festival at Quarry Bank
Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Families of the north rejoice as the National Trust Children’s Book Festival lands at Quarry Bank this June. Promising a weekend wonderland of storytelling shenanigans and literary larks with the UK’s best-loved children’s authors, we recommend snapping up tickets fast.
The impressive line-up is a veritable who’s who of family bookshelves across the land, with the chance to get creative with favourite authors and illustrators in sessions including storytelling, craft and illustration workshops too. The expansive site will be brought to life across the weekend with more creative activities across the gardens.
On Saturday 23 June, Philip Ardagh, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize will be revealing amusing top secrets from the past from his My Secret Diary series and Tony De Saulles, of bestselling Horrible Science fame shares brand new series Bee Boy complete with illustration workshop. New York Times bestelling writer and illustrator Ed Vere will also be bringing his much-loved characters including Leonard the Lion to life.
Tom Percival leads an adventurous session with live drawing revealing the stories of Tale Town. Meanwhile, landlubbers of all ages will be delighted to meet Jonny Duddle. Take part in an interactive pirate performance, learn how to draw the perfect pirate and celebrate the antics of the Jolley-Rogers.
Sleuths will be excited to meet author Tracey Corderoy and illustrator Steven Lenton and the latest adventures of Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam.
Benji Davies, the author and illustrator behind the beautiful The Grotlyn, The Storm Whale and Grandad’s Island stories will be bringing these worlds to life on both Saturday and Sunday through live illustration, participatory storytelling and craft activities too.
Sunday 24 June provides more chances to be among the first to experience stories from some of the best new children’s books out this year, not least the world premiere TV screening of Alex T. Smith’s Claude. See an episode and discover new detective character, Mr. Penguin.
Isadora Moon fans can find out more about her latest adventures and take up the challenge to wear their finest Isadora-inspired fancy dress to win a prize with author Harriet Muncaster. Big belly laughs are to be expected too from Fizzlebert Stump author and poet A F Harrold. Find out all about his latest series, Greta Zargo.
We love that bookish fun continues into the woods with David Litchfield’s Bear Band bringing to life the world of his award-winning book The Bear & The Piano complete with actual Bear pianist. Tiny tots have also not been left out with We’re Going On A Bear Hunt and Paddington-inspired storytelling across the weekend.
Last but not least, don’t miss the chance to meet acclaimed author Berlie Doherty who has written new stories inspired by the lives of people who once lived and worked at Quarry Bank. Head out across the site to follow their tales in the new interactive Journeys of the Imagination trail.
Dramatic happenings indeed!
Author workshops must be booked in advance via the Quarry Bank website. Quarry Bank admission prices apply for additional activities, but not for author workshops
