Now is a good time to start planning treats for the family to give everyone something to look forward to now that summer is officially over. We’ve found TEN fun things to enjoy at Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which opens on Friday 23 September. Some of the events require you to buy tickets but there is also FREE stuff to go to as well.
1 Comedian Rosie Jones has won legions of fans for her TV appearances, with her cheeky smile and her wicked sense of humour. Now Rosie’s bringing her sparky new children’s character Edie Eckhart to Bath. Rosie wanted to write a book for kids like her and to inspire other disabled people to create their own adventures. Meet Rosie and hear all about The Amazing Edie Eckhart, who has just started at secondary school, at The Guildhall, Saturday 1 October, 2pm.
2 Go online to play The Escape Room Challenge, set by award-winning author Christopher Edge – https://www.welcome-to-the-escape.com/
You can hear Christopher talking about his new book for readers age nine and over, The Escape Room, at the Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institute, Queen Square, Saturday 24 September, 11am. Sample a chapter of his fast-paced adventure book on the website. If you enjoyed The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day, Space Oddity or The Jamie Drake Equation, you’ll love this latest book about a race to save the world!
3 Have some fun with the Bunnies! Children aged three to seven will enjoy Set Sail for a Bunny Adventure with Philip Ardagh. He’ll be at The Guildhall, Saturday 24 September from 2pm. Philip creates engaging, lively picture books for little ones and is great at entertaining live audiences.
4 Is there someone in your family who wants to do more to protect the planet? Bring them along to hear climate activists, sisters Amy and Ella Meek, talk about the campaigns they have set up and about their inspiring book Be Climate Clever. The Meeks will be at The Guildhall, Saturday 24 September from 4pm. Bring your questions for them to help you on your own eco-friendly mission. This event is suitable for the whole family and aimed at readers aged seven and over.
5 Some of our favourite authors are regular visitors to the festival, so it’s great to see Jacqueline Wilson is coming back this year. The writer who has created so many much-loved books, from the Tracy Beaker series to Hetty Feather, The Illustrated Mum, The Primrose Railway Children and many more, has written a new story, Project Fairy. Dame Jacqueline will be at The Forum, Saturday 24 September, 2pm with an event suitable for age eight and over.
6 Kids who like aliens, sausage dogs in fancy dress and drawing will love getting involved in Rob Biddulph’s interactive draw-along. Mums, dads, brothers and sisters can all try their hand at creating characters as Rob puts on a fast-paced show, inspired by his new book Draw with Rob: Halloween. The award-winning and record-breaking illustrator (creator of lots of books including Blown Away, Odd Dog Out, The Blue-footed Booby and the Peanut Jones series) will be at The Forum, 10am Saturday 1 October.
7 Comedian Julian Clary has revealed that his latest book about the family of laughing hyenas, The Bolds Go Green (illustrated books for ages seven to ten) is the last in the series of six. The Bolds live disguised as humans in Teddington. They are kind and compassionate and like to help other animals who wish to live a different life too. Their hyena tendencies – laughing, rubbing their bottoms on trees etc sometimes threaten to give the game away, but they are very entertaining, as is their creator. Julian and his illustrator David Roberts will be at The Guildhall, Saturday 1 October at 12pm.
8. Here’s a sneak preview of the new murder mystery by Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series. ‘We went searching for a spy, we discovered a murder’ – Wow! That’s a hook to get you wondering what happens in The Ministry of Unladylike Activity. Fans of the Unladylike series of ten books, (nine to 14 years old) will be thrilled to hear that The Ministry of Unladylike Activity is published just TWO days before Robin hosts her event at The Forum, Saturday October 1, 2.30pm. You can be among the first to get your hands on Robin’s new book.
And Robin has promised that this is the first in a series of murder mystery adventures.
9 Liz Pichon has created a whole series of interactive books centred on Tom Gates. You Can Draw Tom Gates, with Liz Pichon is on Saturday 1 October, 5pm, The Forum. Liz brings to life her new Tom Gates drawing book, and is ready to answer all your questions about her books. Get a sneak peek at the newest Tom Gates book, Happy to Help, before it’s published. Bring your own notebook (paper and pencils are provided) and get ready to doodle.
10 FREE stuff. Call in to The Egg theatre over the weekend of 24/25 September where you will find all kinds of creative activities to take part in at The Happiness Hub, which will be open 10am to 4pm each day. Pick up a free Character Trail sheet, in partnership with Bath BID and go on the trail around the city centre to spot the children’s characters to be in with the chance of winning a book bundle. There’s a festival badge for all taking part.
The American Museum and Gardens at Claverton will be throwing its gates open for free entry to all on Sunday 2 October. Visit the museum’s dinosaur themed exhibition, Hatching the Past, and take part in activities and storytime.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Friday 23 September to Sunday 2 October, For tickets visit: bathfestivals.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.