The Children’s Laureate and the Nation’s Storyteller head up an exciting children’s programme in the Stratford Literary Festival’s spring line-up

Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell is just one of the leading names in the Stratford Literary Festival’s programme of events for young people this year. The creator of worldwide success, How to Train Your Dragon, will be discussing the conclusion to her best-selling series, The Wizards of Once, in a live online event on Sunday 16^th May.

In fact Sunday 16^th May will be entirely devoted to children’s events and a number of big names will be providing quality entertainment for all ages. The nation’s storyteller and award-winning author of War Horse and Private Peaceful, Sir Michael Morpurgo, will be sharing insights into two of his latest books for both young and older readers: The Birthday Duck and A Song of Gladness. Bestselling author and illustrator of the much-loved Tom Gates series, Liz Pichon, will be talking about Ten Trememdous Tales celebrating 10 years since Tom Gate became the nation’s favourite.

Other events will include an introduction to the new Ballet Bunnies series from Swapna Reddy, a crash course in How to be Cooler than Cool with Sean Taylor, and some lessons in confidence and being yourself from Michelle Robinson & Tom Knight as they discuss their latest book, When Jelly Had a Wobble.

For young quiz-nuts, author Christopher Lloyd will be running an interactive Family Quiz live online that everyone can get involved with on Saturday 15^th May, with a chance to win a signed copy of his latest book the Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopaedia.

Although much of the Festival will take place online this year, several in-person workshops will be running for young people under Covid-compliant conditions. On Sunday 16^th May Playbox Theatre will be running two workshops at Stratford Primary School focusing on story-telling through drama for ages 8-11 and 12+. The following week, Saturday 22^nd May Stratford Primary School will also be hosting hands-on craft events with the brilliant Aardman modellers, returning to Stratford to show participants of all ages how to create much loved characters Shaun the Sheep, Feathers McGraw and Morph.

‘We are so pleased to be offering such a stellar line-up of writers for young people,’ says Festival Director Annie Ashworth. ‘Books have been a lifeline over the last 12 months and it’s brilliant to be able to put on events to engage kids in all the fun and drama books have to offer. I’m especially excited Aardman are back with us and live – it’s always a very popular event!’

Tickets start at just £6 and can be purchased now from www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk. Events for all ages run from 8^th May and are viewable until 22^nd May. A season pass for adult events costs £30 to view over 30 events.