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2016

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2016

Abi Elphinstone takes us on a trip to Mongolia

  • May 28, 2016·
Faraway places and beautiful landscapes… Malika Kingston joined the Festival audience for a photographic adventure as the author of The Dreamsnatcher and The Shadow Keeper shared her inspirations. Energetic and inspiring, that’s Abi Elphinstone. Before becoming an author of magical adventure books she was a teacher. It took seven years…
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Holly Webb’s return to the Secret Garden

  • May 28, 2016·
  She’s been named one of the most borrowed authors in the library. Now Holly Webb returns with a sequel to one of the most famous children’s books of all time. And brings another hit event at the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, says Sagal Mohammed. Best-selling children’s author and self-proclaimed reading…
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Frances Hardinge: 5 steps to writing an award-winning novel

  • May 23, 2016·
Calling all budding novelists! Do you have a story to tell, but just don’t know where to start? Acclaimed author Frances Hardinge is here to help, says Sagal Mohammed.  With multiple awards under her belt, including the 2015 Costa Book of the Year award for her epic children’s novel The…
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Minecraft at a children’s literature festival? Yes!

  • May 20, 2016·
Video game writer Alex Wiltshire fights the corner for Minecraft’s role as a creative outlet – and wins. Arno Bryant joins the fun. To those who have missed out on the craze, Minecraft is a sandbox video game that invites the player to create worlds through the collection and assemblage…
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Willy the Wimp gets a musical makeover

  • May 20, 2016·
What do you get when you mix one of Britain’s best-loved author/ illustrators with a live orchestra? A sell-out show and one mesmerised room of kids, says Anthony Pius. Anthony Browne, the creator of children’s literature’s most famous chimp, Willy, joined forces with his wife Jane, the violinist and composer…
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Queen of fantasy Cornelia Funke on doing it her way

  • May 19, 2016·
What’s next for fantasy writer Cornelia Funke and her latest Mirror World series? Malika Kingston joins the excited audience at her Festival talk to find out.  St Mary’s Church in Barnes was packed, almost every seat occupied, even the awkward ones on the side. Who was everyone eagerly waiting to see?…
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Ed Vere reveals the power of a simple circle

  • May 18, 2016·
There was no time for shyness at Ed Vere’s Festival talk, says Anthony Pius. Children and their parents had an hour full of fun and laughter, with a live drawing session of his famous character Max the brave kitten. When it comes to Ed Vere’s illustrations, it all starts with…
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The Etherington Brothers share their comic book genius

  • May 18, 2016·
Who better to show us how to create a totally unique and unputdownable comic than The Etherington Brothers? Juliet Vandensteen meets the dynamic duo. Robin and Lorenzo Etherington are the whacky duo behind comic creations including Long Gone Don, The Dangerous Adventures of Von Doogan and Monkey Nuts. In addition…
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Q&A with performance poet Joseph Coelho

  • May 18, 2016·
Think poetry is boring? Let us introduce you to Children’s Poetry Prize winner, Joseph Coelho. This performance poet puts playfulness into poetry and the kids love it, says Anthony Pius. Joseph Coelho’s Festival talk was full of energy, excitement and enthusiasm as he drew on the children’s imaginations by asking…
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How to draw Barry Loser by Jim Smith

  • May 17, 2016·
The creative mind behind the Barry Loser series on how to draw his big-nosed characters, smelly dog poo (yes, really!) and other brilliantly gross cartoon images. Juliet Vandensteen took a front row seat. Clutching their pencils and clipboards full of paper, the children stared up in anticipation as Jim Smith…
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Writing a detective story with Robin Stevens

  • May 17, 2016·
Author Robin Stevens knows just the right ingredients to whip up a gripping murder mystery novel… Bethany Park investigates.   Introduced as “The Queen of Children’s Crime Novels”, Robin Stevens’ Festival talk was full of mysteries, villains, iced-bun breaks and exclusive lessons in how to write your own detective story.…
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Cerrie Burnell tackles social stigmas using the magic of storytelling

  • May 15, 2016·
CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell tells Juliet Vandensteen why stories are for everyone. Diving straight into the session with engaging enthusiasm and excitement Cerrie began by talking about one of her favourite stories as a child, Alice in Wonderland. With her long blonde hair, bright blue eyes and fair skin, Cerrie…
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Marcia Williams brings Shakespeare to life

  • May 15, 2016·
Cartoonist and author Marcia Williams makes Shakespeare seriously cool, says Malika Kingston. Marcia Williams’ original plan was to give an interactive reading of The Tempest, one of the four books which make up her comic-strip Shakespeare mini series. However, her French Bulldog got hold of the masks before the children…
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Fun and Games with Gyles and Saethryd Brandreth

  • May 15, 2016·
Games devotee Gyles Brandreth, his writer daughter, Saethryd, and her son, Rory, are on a mission to bring back the traditional games that all the family can play, says Bethany Park. They brought fun to the Festival on Saturday – previewing some of the 286 games in their book, The Lost…
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5 things we found out about author of Once, Morris Gleitzman

  • May 15, 2016·
Carnegie Medal nominee Morris Gleitzman talks to Tom Collins about the authors and books that inspired him to write and how his heroes in Once got their names. 1.He wasn’t born in Australia. He was brought up in Sleaford and is the town’s second most famous resident after… Jennifer Saunders “I…
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Feminism, gender, identity and love: why young adult fiction matters

  • May 15, 2016·
  Books are a window onto the world and a platform for discovery. That was the message when the authors of some of the UK’s bestselling young adult fiction, Sarah Crossan, Holly Bourne, Lisa Williamson and Clare Furniss gathered for a thought-provoking discussion. Sagal Mohammed listened in. Chaired by Katherine…
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Become a ghost hunter with Jonathan Stroud

  • May 15, 2016·
  If you think you know what to do in the event of a ghost, think again, says Bethany Park. Jonathan Stroud shares his tips on how to become a ghost hunter, based on his gripping Lockwood & Co book series. So, how can we tackle a ghost? You have to…
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David Melling on the hug that inspired Hugless Douglas

  • May 15, 2016·
David Melling shares the inspiration that brought to life his loveable bear with Anthony Pious What better way to start the day than to share a great big hug? This simple loveable act lies at the heart of author-illustrator David Melling’s bestselling children’s story, Hugless Douglas, a cuddly bear who…
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Jacqueline Wilson brings her wonderful world to the Barnes Booktop

  • May 15, 2016·
Best known for creating characters such as Tracey Beaker and Hetty Feather, Dame Jacqueline Wilson has spent her life writing novels that present serious topics with childlike innocence. The Barnes Booktop Marquee was full to bursting as she took to the stage to introduce her 104th book, Rent a Bridesmaid.…
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Duo Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler on their hit Hamish and the WorldStoppers

  • May 15, 2016·
Tom Collins meets Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler, the brilliantly silly creative duo behind Hamish and the WorldStoppers, to talk about their fear of the ‘pause’, very honest audience feedback and how Danny can improve his openers.   As successful creators of grown-up fiction, what’s the biggest challenge when creating something…
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Lucy Hawking makes a Big Bang at the Festival

  • May 15, 2016·
Lucy Hawking explains to Tom Collins why astrophysics isn’t just for her famous father Stephen. Casting an eye across a packed room of children fizzing with enthusiasm and ideas, it would be tempting to assume they may have over-indulged in sweets and sugary drinks prior to arrival. However, they were…
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Dynamic duo Lauren Child and David Mackintosh on their creative marriage

  • May 15, 2016·
Lauren Child, the creative genius behind children’s classics Charlie and Lola, Ruby Redfort and Clarice Bean, and her graphic design guru David Mackintosh, were one of the highlights of the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival. Sagal Mohammed listened in as they revealed the secrets of their working relationship. The children were…
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