Organisers of Jersey Festival of Words have announced names for the Festival schools programme which will take place at the end of September. It features a fantastic line-up of award-winning children’s authors and illustrators.
Renowned poet, writer and presenter Michael Rosen will be sharing his favourite poems with primary children at the Freedom Centre at an event sponsored by Highvern, while former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell MBE will be leading a live-drawing event exploring heroes and villains of antiquity.
“The festival’s schools programme offers a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with creative writing, poetry, illustration, and performance’ said Martin Hall, chief executive of main corporate sponsor Highvern. ‘This year, we are thrilled to support the festival for the third time and are also pleased to sponsor the renowned children’s book author Michael Rosen’s visit. His interactions with the children are sure to be a highlight for our young bookworms.’
Joining the line-up is Steve Webb, author of ‘Peng and Spanners’, whose interactive sessions will invite students to dive into the world of his wacky cartoon characters, and Malcolm Duffy, whose ‘Seven Million Sunflowers’ is based upon his own experience of hosting a Ukrainian family, and explores themes of resilience and courage through the lens of a Ukranian teenager seeking refuge from the Russian invasion.
Also attending will be CBeebies star Joseph Elliott, whose event ‘Norah and the Map of Mayhem’ aims to equip students with the tools to craft their own captivating narratives, while Le Rocquier school will be hosting an inspirational poetry performance from poet and former Children’s Laureate Wales Connor Allen, as well as a poetry workshop.
‘’The schools programme is an amazing opportunity for children across the island to attend fun-filled events featuring top children’s writers’, said Festival chair Lucy Cotter. ‘There’s also the chance to meet the authors and have their books signed. This year’s line up is better than ever and we hope even more children will get involved and be inspired.”
Jersey Festival of Words runs from 20th – 29th September. As well as the Freedom Centre, this year’s festival will take place at the Arts Centre, Jersey Library, the Lido at Havre de Pas, the Blue Note and Millennium Park.
