Posted on 19th Feb
On Saturday, 27th February, Newark Book Festival aims to delight children and their families with its Imaginarium Festival (Chapter 5). A series of free online events will take place across the day plus look out for Barry the Bookworm in shop and business windows around Newark (from 1st March) and take part in a fun crafty competition.
For younger children, festival regulars Rhubarb Theatre will be hosting two storytime events, taking young imaginations on exciting adventures into space, plus a funny retelling of the classic, The Ugly Duckling.
Nottinghamshire-based author Frances Stickley will also be sharing a selection of her stories and introduce visitors to the characters in her story sack.
Award-winning author Philip Ardagh will not only be reading from his bunny-bursting Bunnies On The Bus picture book, but also hopes – and hops – to follow illustrator, Ben Mantle, for some rabbit-rendering (bunny-drawing) tips in a draw-along session.
Older children can take part in a writing workshop exploring magical worlds with LD Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency series – don’t forget your paper, pen and imagination!
In the afternoon meet author Thomas Taylor, who will be sharing more about his book, Gargantis, a new adventure set in the mysterious Eerie-On-Sea. Children’s author Jenny McLachlan will also be live in your living room as she introduces The Land of Roar – discover how Jenny created Roar, use magic to make a dragon hatch out of an egg and even make a map of your very own fantasy world.
Get crafty and let your imagination go wild – make a model of your favourite character from a book and the best creations will win a prize. Deadline for entries is 1st March. And don’t forget that from 1st March families in Newark will be able to take part in a Where’s Barry exercise trail, look out for Barry in shop windows across the town.
Newark Book Festival artistic director Sara Bullimore said: “We are excited to be giving a big Newark welcome to a fabulous and inspiring range of children’s authors, illustrators and theatre companies as part of our final 2020 chapter. This day is all about creation, imagination and play, with plenty of opportunities for families and children to just have lots of fun and laughter but also keep an eye out for some extra Book Festival surprises too!”
All events are free (donations are welcome) – visit newarkbookfestival.org.uk/category/saturday-27th-february to find out more and book your free place online. Visit Newark Book Festival Facebook Page for regular updates – facebook.com/newarkbookfest.
