Bestselling children’s authors, illustrators, and storytellers feature across a weekend of children’s events and drop-in sessions from Sat 19 – Sun 20 October.
Ilkley Literature Festival is inviting families to their children’s weekend with bestselling authors, drop-in story-telling extravaganzas, free face painting and the chance to write your own stories.
Erica Morris, Director of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “A love of reading can spark at any age, but there’s a special joy and significance that the books we read as children bring to our lives – leaving a legacy long after we turn that final page. We’re looking forward to igniting that love of storytelling, writing and reading within children this October with a weekend of imagination run wild, conjuring up everything from SuperPets to human heroes, and haunted farms to mermaid-mayhem.”
On Saturday 19 October, Leeds-based author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst will unlock your inner sports star in her action-packed event. She’ll tell the stories of fantastically great women sports stars with exciting quizzes, dress up, and drawing. Families can also drop in from 3pm before Pankhurst’s event at the King’s Hall to take part in fun sports star activities, all presented in partnership with Ilkley Clip ‘N Climb.
Sunday 20 October is children’s day at the Clarke Foley Centre, presented in partnership with Bradford Grammar School. A treasure trove of activities to feed the imagination of every budding bookworm will take place throughout the day.
Rachel Morrisroe, bestselling author of the popular ‘How to Grow Magic’ series, appears not once but twice, treating children to a magical morning with her new book How to Grow a Mermaid, before an afternoon of laughter and silly superhero antics with Supersausage to the Rescue!
Things take a suitably spooky turn so close to Halloween as Sophie Kirtley transports us to the wild Irish mountains of her latest adventure The Haunting of Fortune Farm. Explore the secrets of the Vikings and learn how to craft your own ghost story.
Test your mettle in the afternoon with bestselling children’s author Sam Copeland. Copeland will be discussing his new fantasy series Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quests, exploring how bravery comes in many forms and holding a hilarious Battle of the Heroes quiz.
Enjoy free face painting as well as two free drop-in activities: Story Bees autumnal storytelling session, filled with creative and sensory activities to bring stories to life for ages 0-5, and the free Mysteries and Marvels drop-in, where children aged 6+ are invited to discover how to write their own mystery story – complete with clues, suspects, heroes, and villains.
BSL interpretation will also be available at selected children’s events on Sunday 20 October.
All events are intended for family groups to attend together, and children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Ilkley Literature Festival runs 4-20 October in venues across the town. Box office on 01943 816714 or book online: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
Headline acts include Kate Atkinson, Julian Clary, Susie Dent, Alan Hollinghurst, Jodi Picoult, Prue Leith, Carol Ann Duffy and more.