Join the second chapter of the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival
Apr
Hundreds of young literature fans enjoyed over 20 events during the opening weekend of the fourth Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival, with many sessions a sell-out at the family-focused festival.
Keen readers have another chance to be part of the festival, which runs throughout this week and next weekend too – the first time the festival has run over two weekends, to accommodate a brimming programme of more events than ever before.
A sell-out show with multi-best-selling children’s favourite Jacqueline Wilson is on next weekend’s literary line-up, which includes the biggest Welsh language programme ever, and other highlights include Welsh Children’s presenter Mari Lovgreen, a Singing Pirate Walk with Dan Anthony and a session on Minibeast Adventures with CBeebies’ Jess French.
Free sessions for schools are also running throughout this week, with free storytelling sessions at John Lewis Cardiff at 11am, 1pm and 3pm next Saturday and Sunday and free Roald Dahl inspired crafts sessions at St David’s First Floor Food Court on the same days too.
It is the favourite Cardiff-born author’s centenary year this year, with many of the festival’s activities carrying a Roald Dahl theme.
A free Splatch-Winkling, Phizz-Whizzing, Jump-Squifflingly Difficult, Roald Dahl Treasure Hunt is also available throughout the festival, with clues hidden among the city centre’s many Edwardian and Victorian arcades.
Children’s TV presenter Cerrie Burnell gave a session about her book, Harper and the Circus of Dreams at National Museum Cardiff on Saturday and said:
“My family and I have been really welcomed by Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival and I am delighted that all the events are no more than £4, which keeps it accessible for families and invites all to share the wonderful world of stories.”
Holly Webb’s ‘Unlock the Magic’ session at Cardiff Castle on Saturday was also a popular choice and the author said:
“Thanks to all the organisers at Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival, the parents and especially to the children for such fun, creative and imaginative events!”
Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate Anni Llŷn agreed, saying:
“It was great to have such a lively and confident crew at my session at Reardon Smith Theatre – they were more than prepared to create havoc with me. We had fun throwing word snowballs around the place, creating daft images with adjectives to see who would be crowned with the ‘Coron Geiriau’ or ‘Words Crown.’”
There are several sessions for adults running throughout this week too and many of the general workshops will appeal to Welsh learners and their children.
The festival aims to create lifelong readers with tickets currently on sale via Ticketline UK (02920 230 130 or www.ticketlineuk.com ) and www.cardiff-events.com
