The boom in children's literature has brought a shelf of book events for kids. There isn't a Harry Potter festival so far, but more organisers are including a young people's programme within adult festivals and a few are kids only. They're fun events where you can meet favourite authors, join in storytelling, create a comic book, write a poem.
If literacy hour doesn't work, maybe a weekend break at a book bash will turn youngsters into bookworms. To find a bed at book-time, access www.visitBritain.com; and for more events search British Arts Festivals Association website www.artsfestivals.co.uk
Shrewsbury
Children's Bookfest (28 April - 1 May)
One of the few created specially for children. It was new-kid-on-the-block last year and now has another pace-setting line-up of distinctly different activities (organisers say they make up 'programme policy' as they go - hoorah for that) often linking words with music, dance, craft or art.
Birmingham Royal Ballet is running workshops on the theme of King Arthur. Steve Holland and 'The Voice Stealer' invite upper-age 'primaries' to bring whatever helps them make weird and wonderful sound. Michael Morpurgo gives six-to ll- year-olds a chance to try creative writing with a master of the art. And family events include Jacqueline (The Suitcase Kid) Wilson, back by overwhelming demand, and Nicholas Parsons on the life and nonsense of Edward Lear. It's the same broad range you'd expect from the birthplace of Charles Darwin and 'Brother Cadfael'. Booking and information tel: 01743 355159, or write to The Gateway Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1NB.
Cheltenham
Book It! Spring Weekend (6-7 May)
New this year, a short, spring version of 'Book It!', the 'daddy bear' of children's lit-fests (it's been part of Cheltenham's big autumn book bash for more than 20 years). Known for high standard storytelling and letting youngsters roar around one bit of the Town Hall, while adults get serious elsewhere. This time the adults get poet laureate Andrew Motion and Sir Malcolm Bradbury et al, while children get Pongwiffy with Kaye Umansky, rap workshop with Tony Mitton and the Numberlies with Colin Hawkins. Joined-up family event is Anthony (Bear Hunt) Browne talking about his latest, My Dad. The autumn festival (13-22 October) is still the big one, but 'baby bear' is bound to be popular. Brochure hotline is 01242 237377; e-mail: Festivalbrochure@cheltenham.co.uk; website www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk
Derbyshire
Millennium Literature Festival (6 May to end July)
Opening chapter in this three-month epic (a one-off to mark the millennium) is a Great Literature Picnic at four separate sites. On 6 May, Bolsover Castle, The Slopes in Buxton, Elvaston Castle and Shipley Country Park are putting on 'a carnival of storytelling and street theatre'. Each month has different themes and events, including stories for under-fives, Book2K for teenagers, ghost walks, exhibitions and poetry readings. But the hot ticket is sure to be an exhibition, walks and talks on The Railway Children at New Mills in the High Peak (during May) backing up recent claims that E. Nesbit originally based her children's classic here. Information from Libraries and Heritage Department, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG. Tel: 01629 580000, email ann.wright@derbyshire.gov.uk website www.derbyshire.gov.uk Festival details are on libraries and heritage pages.
Birmingham
Young Readers' UK Festival (20 May-3 June)
Peaks at bank holiday weekend (28/29 May) with a free Big Bonanza Book Fair at Aston Hall. Lots of hands-on activities, meet-the-author sessions, poetry and storytelling, plus the inimitable John Byrne, cartoonist-cum-stand-up-comic, and poet-puppeteer Nick Toczek. First and last days in the festival are also public: Terry - The Terrible Tudors - Deary (20 May) and dramatisations of Roald Dahl (3 June) at the Library Theatre. Otherwise it's mostly school and library based, linked to this year's Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals for children's books. Information line tel: 0121 303 3368, email anne.everall@birmingham.gov.uk or write to Young Readers UK, Literature Office, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ.
Hay-on-Wye
Children's Festival (27-30 May)
Expands to a fourth day this year, in 'Celebration of Children's Literature 2000', though this arts-science-crafts-film programme has some book-based workshops and events every day. Storybox Theatre is back with a new Little Mermaid. Actor Martin Jarvis performs Just William and Vivian French does a spell-binding version of story-time. A good place for youngsters to park parents at the adults' do (famously spread all over Hay-on-Wye) and spend the day (£12 tickets) in their own tent-city at the Community Centre. Website www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/cfestival details events by age range. Ticket hotline: 0113 230 4661. For a brochure write to HFCA, 15 Knowle Avenue, Leeds LS4 2PQ.
Edinburgh
International Book Festival (12-28 August)
Has more than 150 happenings for young readers during Edinburgh's annual artskrieg. New this year is a regular evening slot for young adults (aimed at stemming the drop-out rate among late-teen readers). More firsts include a chance to try letterpress printing, set up with the National Trust's historic printworks; and the launch of Blue Mammoth Scottish stories for children.
Lots of interactive workshops. Many 'book circuit' appearances, but some 'exciting exclusives too' - yet to be announced. All held in tents in Charlotte Square, one of the city's finest (full disabled access). To get on the mailing list (from 27 Apri) e-mail admin@edbookfest.co.uk; the website www.edbookfest.co.uk has the new programme from June. Or write to Edinburgh International Book Festival, 137 Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH11 1BG.
Swansea
Wordplay (2-7 October)
The biggest book bash for kids in Wales, it wins hands down on price. Maximum charge for children is 50p per event; several of the 80-odd readings, games, workshops (some in Welsh) and competitions are free. Youngsters love it: more than 1,000 a day pack the Dylan Thomas Centre, though he's not on the agenda (he gets his day later in October). 'It's about living writers and illustrators; getting children to meet them, find out they're normal, like football, had trouble with spelling at school,' say the organisers. Illustration is a major theme: lead show this year is by Jan (Mr Wolf's Pancakes) Fearney. Booking from September. Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR. Tel: 01792 463980.
Durham
Northern Children's Book Festival Gala Day (18 November)
This Gala Day, open to everyone, adds a huge happy-ever-after ending to the North East's annual fortnight of school and library events. This year the free jamboree takes place in Durham County Hall (plenty of parking and good public transport). More-than-ever space for book activities, story sessions, games and sideshows means organisers are planning a record-breaking (8,000-plus visitors) event. Invited authors include award-winning local David (Skellig) Almond, Redwall creator Brian Jaques and Judith Kerr with Mog's thirtieth birthday. Postal-booking (from September) is advised for ticket-holder events, one third available on the day. All inquiries: 0191 200 8223. Detailed programme from July. Access www.ncbf.org.uk
