A pile of books. The Northern Children’s Book Festival, one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK, is back

Book festival shows children reading is fun

The Northern Children’s Book Festival, one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK, is back with a bang for 2022.

The literacy enhancing event will see Northumberland Libraries and Schools Library Service introduce hundreds of children to authors whose books keep them engaged, entertained and enthralled.

During the 39th such festival authors will once again be visiting schools to meet and chat to youngsters in person to spark their imaginations, after only taking place on line for two years due to COVID restrictions.

Research has shown that children's literacy levels were severely impacted by the pandemic – and that meeting authors during school visits can inspire children and help them to develop a love of reading.

Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Libraries said: “Nothing could be more important than to help children develop a love of reading which will help them in all aspects of their future lives.

“The Northern Children’s Book Festival is one of the biggest there is and we are rightly proud to introduce our young people to top class authors and inspire them to read, write and use their, often very vivid, imaginations.

“Meeting writers face-to-face is a memory that will stay with pupils for a long time and can make a real impact on improving literacy levels in our communities.”

The festival runs from Monday November 14 for two weeks and a whole host of top authors, poets, storytellers and illustrators have agreed to take part in the event.

There will be virtual opportunities also, so that more schools can join in across Northumberland’s rural community.

The authors are Kristina Stephenson who penned “Sir Charlie Stinky Socks” and has a new book out “The Museum of Marvellous Things”; Dan Smith, whose latest book “Nisha’s War” is set in World War II and offers a fresh angle on a wartime story; Ross Collins, author and illustrator of picture books such as “There’s A Mouse In My House” who will lead interactive read-and-draw-along sessions and Cressida Cowell, a former Waterstones Children’s Laureate and author of “How to Train Your Dragon” who has a new magical adventure series “Which Way to Anywhere”.
 
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