Cheltenham Festivals Literature Festival Family Brochure 2017

Family Programme 6–15 October 2017

Box Office 01242 850270 cheltenhamfestivals.com @cheltlitfest #cheltlitfest

FAMILY FESTIVAL FUN This October we welcome a host of amazing authors and illustrators straight to the heart of our town, celebrating stories, creativity and imagination.

As well as a tremendous raft of special guests, we have two new exciting spaces for children and lots of free family fun to enjoy on site this year!

Where’s Wally? Trail Daily, 11am–3pm Wow! Wally-Watchers!

Follow our free Where’s Wally? trail around town and search out scenes created by local schools.

Pick up your trail sheet from Waterstones on The Promenade or any of the participating venues – see cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature for details.

Waterstones Children’s Festival Bookshop Join us in our Children’s Festival Bookshop to meet the visiting authors and have your books signed, browse the bookshelves and join in with story times and a host of other fun activities.

Where’s Wally? © 1987 – 2017 Martin Handford, published by Walker Books Ltd. “Where’s Wally?”™ © Classic Media Distribution Limited.

All rights reserved.

Beyond Words: Once Upon A Place Daily, opposite The Den

Share your photos on social media @cheltlitfest

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Come along to a free exhibition of poetry and photography from students participating in Beyond Words, a Cheltenham Festivals outreach programme.

Students are from Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service and the University of Gloucestershire.

NEW & FREE

NEW

The Den 7–8 October and 14–15 October, 10.30am - 5pm Dive into The Den brimming with drop-in activities every weekend.

Help Lucy Cousins create a big bird mural, make wishing fish, join a panto-workshop, draw some surprising animals and loads more free family fun.

NEW

The Woodland Trust Wild Wood Daily, 10.30am-5pm Follow The Famous Five story trail (supported by Dean Close School), go on a teddy bear’s picnic, listen to storytellers, dress up, play giant Jenga, meet favourite book characters and more – enjoy the picnic area too, all completely free! For a full schedule of activities visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature 3

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER

YA

4–4.45pm

10–11am

Watch out for our Young Adult badge to find out about our exciting YA events!

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5–6pm

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+

10–11am 10–10.45am

Author Rachel Bright and illustrator Jim Field present their funny, heart-warming picture books including the award-winning The Koala Who Could and brand new The Squirrels Who Squabbled. There’ll be storytelling, live-drawing and even the opportunity to learn how to draw some of Rachel and Jim’s cute characters!

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The Big Book Of Beasts The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Find out fascinating animal facts with Yuval Zommer and The Big Book of Beasts featuring lions, tigers, hippos and many more. Learn all about the grizzliest and growliest beasts from their jaws right down to their claws! This fun introduction to the natural world will be followed by a live drawing session, where children will draw along to create their own wild beasts with Yuval’s help.

The talented author and illustrator duo Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre create dazzlingly funny books. In this event they bring you their latest adventure Jinks & O’Hare: Funfair Repair. Could you handle a violent fudge explosion, a gravity inversion or a marauding candy floss creature? Join Philip and Sarah for top writing tips, and a live drawing bonanza.

10am–12pm

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The Nook £15 * Age 8–12

The Times Forum £20 * Ticket includes a signed copy

There will not be a book signing after this event.

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Workshop Comic Art Masterclass

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Join award-winning actress and Queen of Comedy Miranda Hart as she introduces young readers to her debut children’s book The Girl With The Lost Smile. Chloe has a big imagination and an even bigger heart… until the day she loses her smile and embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find it. Hear all about Miranda’s inspiration for her story at this fantastic, fun-filled event – prepare to laugh your socks off!

Philip Reeve And Sarah McIntyre Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 6+

Miranda Hart’s Magical Adventure of The Girl with the Lost Smile.

Ages 9+ and the whole family

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Gazing at the stars from five storeys up, smelling the bins from five storeys below.

Join award-winning poet Joseph Coelho in a thrilling world where statues sing, things lurk in the library… and where a story can be told through poetry. Think, laugh and yelp as Joseph performs poems from his new collection Overheard in a Tower Block all about growing up in the city.

The Koala Who Could The Hive £6 * Age 3+

City Poems With Joseph Coelho

10–11am

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Oi! Kes Gray And Jim Field The Inkpot £6 * Age 3+ Author Kes Gray takes you on a rhyming adventure accompanied by live drawing from Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning Festival illustrator Jim Field at this bonkers event.

According to Frog... cats sit on gnats, dogs sit on logs and raccoons sit on macaroons. But wait! Cat doesn’t like sitting on gnats, they keep biting his bottom! Will Frog and Dog help him change the rules?

Would you like to have a go at making your own comic? Kev F Sutherland writes and draws for the Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics and will show you how easy it is! At the end of this workshop everyone will leave with a unique comic, an individual caricature

by Kev F and a copy of the Beano.

Parents may choose to drop and leave their children for this session but must complete a form (on booking) detailing their contact information and any medical information for the child in case of an emergency.

4 * Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

10–11am 3.30–4.30pm

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Workshop Creative Writing With Maz Evans Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at no additional charge.

Age 9–12 Come and conjure up a story with Who Let the Gods Out? author Maz Evans in this fun, creative writing workshop.

Learn about the wacky world of the gods and create your own hero.

11.30am–12.15pm

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12–1pm

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Alison Steadman And Mark Chambers

Maz’s Mythological Mayhem

The Hive £6 * Age 4+

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+

Do you hate spiders? Well, prepare to think again! Actor Alison Steadman OBE and illustrator Mark Chambers present their new picture book Spider! which takes a hilarious look at these eight-legged creatures. Be fascinated and entertained with spider facts and figures, story-telling and live drawing.

Maz Evans presents a fun-filled family fiasco as she uses the world of her hilarious novels Who Let the Gods Out? and Simply the Quest to introduce Greek mythology as you’ve never seen it before. Packed with giggles and games, look no further for an epic dose of mythological mayhem.

12.30–1.30pm

YA 10.30–11.30am

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Great British Bake Off sensation Nadiya Hussain talks with TV presenter and author Cerrie Burnell about her new cookbook and storybook Nadiya’s Bake Me a Festive Story designed to bring families together in the kitchen getting messy, having fun and reading stories. Includes a decoration demo to try at home and a special take-home treat with every book purchase.

Box Office 01242 850270 cheltenhamfestivals.com

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Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Children under 12 must be

Nadiya Hussain: Bake Me A Story The Sunday Times Garden Theatre £8 * Ages 5+ and the whole family

Workshop Poetry With Joseph Coelho

accompanied by an adult at no additional charge.

Age 9–12

12–1pm

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Michael Grant: GONE Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 12+ and Young Adults Set four years after the end of the fast-paced and frighteningly gripping GONE series, Michael Grant’s latest novel Monster follows Shade Darby, a witness to the events the day the dome came down. Join the author as we meet a whole host of new characters and reconnect with some familiar faces; dystopian fiction at its best.

Poet Joseph Coelho leads a fantastic and fantastical workshop based on his poetic story collection Overheard in a Tower Block. Create poems that get to the heart of a story, poems that are fun, poems that are magic, poems to make your friends gasp!

1–1.45pm

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Oi! Jim Field’s Family Draw-a-Long The Hive £6 * Age 4+ and the whole family Oi! You! Yes, you! Come along to this drawa-long event with Jim Field if you like dogs, frogs or cats all sitting on logs or mats… or, wherever, really. If you love animals, drawing and laughing this is the event for you. Yes, you!

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SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

4-5pm

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The Awesome World Of YA Town Hall, Pillar Room £10 * Includes a cupcake

YA

Age 14+ and Young Adults

2.30–3.15pm

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A Busy Day For Birds The Hive £6 * Age 2+

2–3pm

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Join Maisy Mouse creator Lucy Cousins and renowned storyteller Liz Fost for an afternoon aviary of feathered fun and frolics.

In support of the fly away hit A Busy Day for Birds this event is filled with live illustration, spectacular storytelling and a magical song alongside other adventurous activities.

YA fans assemble! Join four Young Adult authors, Anna Day (The Fandom), Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison (Freshers) and Gemma Fowler (Moondust), an editor and a publicist for an interactive conversation about the unique world of YA publishing. There will be buckets of bookish chat: how they write, finding a publisher, why they love social media and loads more.

The Great Comic Caper Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Includes a free copy of the Beano Age 6+ Kev F Sutherland’s comic strips appear in the Beano, Doctor Who Adventures, Match and many more. After 25 years working as a comedian, writer and comic artist, and running the UK’s Comic Festival he knows a worrying amount about this funny business.

Find out how easy it is to create comics and challenge him with your own comic questions.

2–3pm

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Realms Of Fantasy Fiction

YA

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 12+ and Young Adults

Phenomenal fantasy writers, Alice Broadway (Ink), Philip Reeve (Railhead), Melinda Salisbury (The Scarecrow Queen) and chair Philip Womack (The Darkening Path) discuss their outstanding fantasy novels, weaving wondrous new worlds, strange yet familiar, with scenes, images and ideas that are brilliantly inventive. Find out how they do it.

4–4.45pm

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Luna Loves Libraries The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Every week Luna looks forward to one special day: the day when she discovers magic among the library shelves – the day she gets to spend with her dad. Go on an amazing journey through the magical world of stories with author and performance poet Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers.

Audience interaction and rhymes a plenty.

4–5pm

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Robin Stevens Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 9+

6.45–7.45pm

Open Up With Gemma Cairney And Laura Dockrill

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YA

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 14+ and Young Adults Heartbreak, body image, love, friendship, mental health….. growing up can be tough and amazing. Broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney (Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be) and author and poet Laura Dockrill (Aurabel), open up with journalist Anna James about their writing for young adults. Open your hearts and minds and join the conversation.

Robin Stevens, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winning Murder Most Unladylike talks about writing mysteries and her new standalone novel The Guggenheim Mystery. Hear Robin read from her new book and help her create a very special detective story. There will also be the chance to ask your burning questions, like any good detective!

6 * Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER

11am–12.30pm (Ages 6–8 only) 1–2.30pm (Ages 9–13 only)

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Workshop RAD: Matilda Musical Theatre 10–11am

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Famous Five At 75 10–10.45am

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Hugless Douglas The Hive £6 * Age 3+ David Melling returns with the latest humorous adventure in his Hugless Douglas series. Douglas is sure that food without honey just can’t be yummy. But will he be proved wrong? Learn to draw Douglas, listen to some storytelling and even get a hug from Douglas himself!

The Sunday Times Garden Theatre £8 * Age 8+ and the whole family Go on an adventure with Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary. From going on a picnic to cracking clues and solving a mystery, Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog present an immersive theatre show for all the family.

10–11am

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Sing and dance to the music and choreography inspired by this West End sensation. These Royal Academy of Dance workshops are open to all children. No prior singing or dancing experience required.

Parents are asked to drop and leave their children for this session and must complete a form (on booking) detailing their contact details and any medical information of the child in case of an emergency.

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Judith Kerr And Matthew Kneale The Inkpot £8 * Adult event, but suitable for young people aged 14+

The children’s author and illustrator Judith Kerr, creator of the Mog books and The Tiger Who Came to Tea and her writer son Matthew Kneale (best known for his 2000 novel English Passengers) talk with Alex O’Connell of The Times about the inspirations for their work, emigration, creating a home in another country and their highly creative family.

10–11am

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 8+ Carnegie Medal winning author David Almond and bestselling Claude creator Alex T. Smith come together to discuss their new collaboration, the heart-warming Tale of Angelino Brown. With bold, quirky drawings and a moving yet funny story, young readers will be delighted by this warm and witty tale, following a tiny angel who appears in bus driver Bert’s top pocket and brings joy to everyone’s lives.

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Akala And Sav Present Hip And Hop The Hive £6 * Age 4+

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David Almond And Alex T.Smith

11.30am–12.15pm

10–11am

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Sir Charlie Stinky Socks Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 3+

MOBO award-winning rapper and poet Akala and illustrator Sav Akyüz introduce their new picture book Hip and Hop. Join them for an interactive and fun storytelling session and drawing workshop packed with colourful artwork and awesome hip-hop inspired rhythms and rhymes.

By the light of a silvery moon, Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and his faithful friends are heading for Thunder Mountain. Their mission? To take a little dinosaur safely home. Join Kristina Stephenson for an interactive musical storytelling journey, complete with songs, puppets and dinosaurs!

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SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER

12–1pm

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Get Creative!

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+ and the whole family

11.45am–12.45pm

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The Wimpy Kid Show

Fire up your imagination as authors and illustrators Jonathan Stroud, Christopher Edge, Lizzy Stewart and Katherine Woodfine get together in a creative madcap event for the whole family discussing all aspects of creativity from things they made as children, to finding time for it in their busy adult lives and sharing top tips for budding creatives. Help the panelists prove their skills live on stage too!

1.45–2.30pm

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Adrian Edmondson’s Tilly And The Time Machine Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 7+

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 8+ A must for all Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans: Host Alastair Watson brings the books to life with fun activities including a draw-along and The Wimp Wars! Quiz. The event also includes exclusive clips of author Jeff Kinney! Books purchased on the day will be eligible for an exclusive Wimpy Kid Show stamp.

1–1.45pm

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King Flashypants

Adrian Edmondson’s first children’s novel Tilly and the Time Machine is about a little girl who gets lost in time. Find out what inspired him to write it, help him create a time machine live on stage and learn how to clear a busy High Street just by wiggling your bottom! A fun interactive event with one of Britain’s best-loved actors and writers.

The Hive £6 * Age 6+ FOO HOO HOO! Join Emmy-winning writer Andy Riley for an event filled with evil laughs, striding music and royally good drawing. Don your crowns to discover the key elements of King Flashypants –intriguing settings complete with ‘weird meadows’, a brave but chocolate-obsessed child hero and a villain who comes equipped with his very own marching band.

2–3pm

12–1pm

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce The Inkpot £6 * Age 9+ Have you ever wondered what happened to the first dog in space? What are the Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth? Find out why everyone but Prez seems to think Sputnik is a dog?! Come and meet best-selling author of Framed and Millions Frank Cottrell-Boyce who has all the answers.

A Change Is Gonna Come

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YA

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 12+ and Young Adults

Published in recognition of the lack of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) voices in UK publishing, A Change is Gonna Come is an anthology of short stories and poetry for young adults featuring award-winning authors and newly discovered writers. Join contributors Nikesh Shukla, winner of the YA Book Prize Patrice Lawrence and new voice Phoebe Roy as they discuss the reasons behind the volume and their responses to the theme of change.

2.30–3.15pm

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There’s A Tiger In The Garden The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Nora’s garden is full of animal surprises including butterflies with wings as big as her arm. Join Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winning author-illustrator Lizzy Stewart (There’s a Tiger In The Garden) as she brings her beautiful picture-book to life through a fabulous hands-on storytime and activity workshop. Dream up and make your own crafty creature.

8 * Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER

3.45–4.45pm

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

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World Elite Dance Academy Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 9+

10–10.45am

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Shifty McGifty And Slippery Sam

Welcome to the World Elite Dance Academy!

Billie has always dreamed of being a dancer and she now finally has an audition at a world-famous contemporary dance school.

But will Billie be able to get over her nerves?

Join in as superstar Kimberly Wyatt dances you through her brand-new series, join in and always remember…Be yourself. Be fearless. Be authentic!

The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Meet Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, a pair of robber dogs who see the error of their ways and become crime-solving bakers.

Come along for a scrumptious session of fun, games and storytelling with author Tracey Corderoy.

10–10.45am

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Perfectly Norman The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Norman had always been perfectly normal.

That was until the day he grew a pair of wings! Join Tom Percival as he reads from his latest book, Perfectly Norman; a poignant and uplifting story about individuality. Bring your best ideas and singing voices for this highly interactive session.

4–5pm

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Dragon Gold The Hive £6 * Age 7+

4–5pm

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The Explorer 4–5pm

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Mermaids And Dragons, Witches And Pirates The Hive £6 * Age 8+ Traditional storybook characters abound in Sibéal Pounder (Witch Snitch) and Claire Fayer’s (The Accidental Pirates) stories, written in a way that feels fresh and sparky.

Join them as they discuss the fun they have creating their characters and plotting riotously funny and zany adventures with fellow author Katherine Woodfine.

What would you do if there was a school competition to make a dragon that can fly?

Set in Snowdonia and inspired by Arthurian legend, the Dragon Gold series are magical adventure stories. Find out all about Harri and his pet dragon and draw your own dragon too with popular author, illustrator and YouTube drawing tutor, Shoo Rayner.

The Hive £6 * Age 9+ Award-winning author Katherine Rundell returns to talk with Alex O’Connell of The Times about her new story of adventure, survival and bravery. Hear all about how her real life adventures canoeing up the Amazon and learning to fly a plane as well as her love of Eva Ibbotson’s Journey to the River Sea have influenced her new novel The Explorer.

Box Office 01242 850270 cheltenhamfestivals.com 9

WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER

10–10.45am

THURSDAY 12 OCTOBER

FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER

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The Lumberjack’s Beard: Story And Sign Along

10–10.45am

The Hive £6 * Age 3+

Nadia Shireen Picture Book Party

10–10.45am

Every day, the lumberjack heads into the forest and chops down trees but what about the poor homeless creatures? Author Duncan Beedie is accompanied by Alex Self from Little Signers for an interactive event of storytelling, easy signing, singing, sound effects and drawing.

4–5pm

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Story Builders

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The Hive £6 * Age 3+

The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Story Builders from Discover Children’s Story Centre in London introduce Also an Octopus by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Benji Davies and invite the audience to make a new story with ‘a little bit of nothing’.

Children will help shape a story using objects as the inspiration for characters, places and plot.

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Letters From The Lighthouse

4–5pm

The Hive £6 * Age 8+

The Hive £6 * Age 7+

Join Queen of Historical Fiction Emma Carroll to hear about her new wartime adventure, Letters from the Lighthouse, and discover facts about World War II – from painting camouflage on lighthouses, to evacuation, refugees and code-breaking.

Find out about the process of writing a book from idea to publication and learn how Emma became a writer and what inspires her.

Jeremy Strong once worked in a bakery, putting the jam into three thousand doughnuts every night. Now he puts the jam in stories instead, which he finds much more exciting. Get ready to laugh your socks off with the King of Comedy, as he shares the giggles and fun from the latest story My Brother’s Famous Bottom Makes a Splash!

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Jeremy Strong

Join Nadia Shireen at this event for young families including a noisy storytime session and live drawing!! Nadia introduces her adorable animal characters, including Dave, the cutest little calf this side of the moon from The Cow Who Fell to Earth, and muchloved Norman, the bear in a bumble-bee onesie who starred in The Bumblebear.

4–4.45pm

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Grandad’s Secret Giant The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Billy doesn’t believe his grandad when he tells him there’s a giant living in his town but as time goes on, Billy learns that some secrets are too big to stay secret for long. Join David Litchfield, author of the Waterstones prize-winning The Bear and the Piano for a jam-packed session with storytelling and craft activities.

10 * Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER

10–11am 12–1pm

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Workshop Make a Book With Chloe Daykin Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Age 9–12

10–10.45am

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10–11am

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The Bear And The Piano

Harry Hill’s Hilarious Kid’s Book

The Hive £6 * Age 4+

The Times Forum £6 * Age 9+ and the whole family

Join the Bear Band with Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winning authorillustrator David Litchfield as he brings this tale to life through words, music, live illustration and a draw-along session. One day, a young bear stumbles upon something he has never seen before in the forest. As time passes, he teaches himself how to play the strange instrument, but what will happen when his talent is discovered?

Award-winning comedian Harry Hill is back with his new children’s book Matt Millz, The Youngest Stand Up Comedian In The World.

Expect family friendly fun, lots of laughs and audience participation, and bring along your questions for the much-anticipated Question and Answer session.

Inspired by her novel Fish Boy, bookmaker Chloe Daykin takes us on a journey into the deep to imagine strange creatures and underwater adventures.

Using these ideas, children will cut, stick, make and draw a book that is also an aquarium. Every book is unique to its creator and folds up into a handy envelope to take home.

11.30am–12.15pm

Join storyteller Liz Fost as she celebrates 10 pant-tastic years of Claire Freedman and Ben Cort’s Aliens Love Underpants! Listen to Liz as she brings the aliens we know and love to life in this interactive event suitable for all the family. Keep your eyes peeled for an out-ofthis-world guest appearance!

What Is Fake News? Spot It And Stop It

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10–11am

Alex T. Smith

Cathy Cassidy

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 6+

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 9+

Bestselling author-illustrator, Alex T Smith, introduces Claude – a small, plump dog who wears a beret, and his irrepressible sidekick, Sir Bobblysock. Learn top secret illustrator tips, including how to draw the lovable Claude himself. Get the scoop on Claude’s next adventure and meet Alex’s latest creation… Mr Penguin! Part Indiana Jones.

Part Hercule Poirot. And aaaaaall penguin!

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Cathy Cassidy, author of the bestselling Chocolate Box Girls stories, presents her latest book and first in a gorgeous new series, Love from Lexie, a roller-coaster story about friendship, family, romance and saving the world. As well as sharing her top tips for daydreaming and creativity, Cathy talks about her inspirations and there will be plenty of time to ask your questions too.

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The Hive £6 * Age 3+

12–1pm

10–11am

Aliens Love Underpants

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 14+

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YA

At Donald Trump’s first press conference the term “fake news” was catapulted into the mainstream but what is it, where do the stories come from, and how can we tell fake stories from real? Leading journalists from The Times and The Sunday Times will discuss and present this important topic and offer practical advice on what you can do to spot it and stop it.

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SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER

1–1.45pm

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An Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure The Hive £6 * Age 6+

12–1pm

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Father Christmas And Me Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 7+

2–3pm

It isn’t always easy growing up as a human in Elfhelm, even if your adoptive parents are the newly married Father Christmas and Mary Christmas. Blue Peter Book Award winning author Matt Haig (Father Christmas and Me) celebrates his new Christmas book in this incredibly interactive event. Help Matt raise the Christmas Hope Barometer and enjoy a game of trolls v pixies.

12.45–1.45pm

Award-winning author A.L Kennedy introduces you to Uncle Shawn and Badger Bill, the kooky but warm-hearted stars of her debut children’s book. Having been compared to both Roald Dahl’s and David Walliams’ stories, An Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure is an hilarious tale of kidnap, depressed lamas and two particularly evil sisters with a horrific love of knitwear.

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Lauren Child The Inkpot £6 * Age 9+ and the whole family Waterstones Children’s Laureate Lauren Child is on a mission to inspire children to realise their own creative potential. In conversation with CBBC Controller Cheryl Taylor, Lauren discusses the many art forms that influence her work, children’s books as a gateway to learning, and why she wants children to have the freedom to discover creativity for themselves.

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Tongue Fu For Kids Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £8 * Age 7+ and the whole family Bring the whole family to this lively, special kids version of one of the UK’s leading spoken word shows. Jam-packed with word play, improvisation, participation and musical wizardry from poets, storytellers, rappers and the amazing Tongue Fu band.

Each show is unique and features stars of UK spoken word.

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Magic And Mechanicals Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+

2.30–3.15pm

Two wildly imaginative authors, Scarlett Thomas (Dragon’s Green) and Peter Bunzl (The Cogheart Adventures) talk with Imogen Russell Williams about creating extraordinary fantastical worlds and the remarkable characters who live there.

Mystery, mayhem and magic abound in this event for children who love their fiction fizzing with spirit and adventure.

2–3.30pm

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Workshop Writing Funny With Miranda Walker

YA

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Age 13+ If you like to write and laugh, this is the workshop for you! Industry professional Miranda Walker (Diddy TV, CBBC, The Now Show & The News Quiz, BBC Radio 4) passes on comedy writing tricks, tools and techniques. Have a go at writing gags, dialogue and sketches, find your inner comic voice and let it out to play!

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2–3pm

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Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide The Hive £6 * Age 3+ Nibbles is back! He’s finished with fairy tales and has found his way into a book of dinosaurs. Soon he’s chomping through the Triceratops chapter and causing chaos among the Velociraptors. Uh oh – has Nibbles bitten off more than he can chew? Meet his creator Emma Yarlett for fun-filled escapades and learn to draw your very own Nibbles.

3.45–4.45pm

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Stories: Agents Of Change Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Ages 12+ What are our human rights and how can fiction help us understand and embrace them? Nicky Parker (Amnesty International) talks with authors Sita Brahmachari and A L Kennedy (Here I Stand) and Gill Lewis (A Story Like the Wind) about human rights under threat today, the role stories play in developing awareness and, empathy and how we can all take a stand and make a difference.

* Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER

4–5pm

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Harry Potter Show Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Includes free bookmark and door hanger Age 9+ and the whole family Celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter magic with this fun and interactive event. Explore the four Houses at Hogwarts with Fleurble Laffalot. Discover fun facts and take part in some of the key elements of life at Hogwarts – the sorting ceremony, Quidditch, potions class and more. A family friendly event exploring the magical world of the Harry Potter books.

10–10.45am

LB68

Timothy Knapman’s Storytelling Extravaganza The Hive £6 * Age 3+ Timothy Knapman, author of over 50 picture books and known as the Stock Aitken and Waterman of the picturebook world, invites you to a storytelling extravaganza. Come and watch this master of storytelling bring his work to life in this vibrant, hilarious and heartfelt event, including his latest title Follow the Track All the Way Back.

10–10.45am

10–11am

LB71

Greg James And Chris Smith The Inkpot £6 * Age 8+ Calling all heroes, villains and Super Zeros!

Join radio personalities and debut authors, Greg James and Chris Smith for an actionpacked Kid Normal event. Prepare for lots of games and audience participation, and help to defeat the evil Nektar! No superpowers required!

LB69

The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £8 * Age 3+

4–5pm

LB67

Unicorn In New York The Hive £6 * Age 6+ Award-winning author Rachel Hamilton takes you on a side-splitting storytelling adventure with sassy unicorn Louie, who moves to New York to enrol at the School of Performing Arts and embarks on a journey to become a legend of the stage! What misadventures are in store for the eternally optimistic Louie?

Plop is a baby barn owl. He is the same as every baby barn owl that has ever been, except for one thing – he is afraid of the dark! Filled with song, puppetry, dance and laughter, the touching story of The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark is beautifully adapted for the stage.

Based on the book The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark written by Jill Tomlinson and illustrated by Paul Howard, published by Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

10–11am

LB70

World Of Supersaurs Cheltenham Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+ Imagine a world where dinosaurs never died out, but instead have evolved and live alongside humans. Former presenter of BBC children’s art show Smart, author and illustrator Jay Jay Burridge introduces the World of Supersaurs a truly amazing reading experience. See interactive illustrations come to life with an augmented reality app and draw your own Supersaur.

Box Office 01242 850270 cheltenhamfestivals.com 13

SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER

11.30am–12.15pm (Ages 4–8 only)

12–1pm LB74

Workshop RSC Introduce: A Christmas Carol 2.30–4pm (Ages 8–12 only)

LB75

Workshop RSC Discover: A Christmas Carol

Michael Morpurgo

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre, Dance Studio £10 * Spaces limited to 24

The Sunday Times Garden Theatre £8 * Age 7+

Children in both age groups need to be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian with a ticket

10.30–11.30am

LB72

Former Children’s Laureate and master storyteller Michael Morpurgo has written over 100 books, including War Horse and Private Peaceful. Join Michael as he introduces his latest novel Toto: The DogGone Amazing Story of the Wizard of Oz, a retelling of the classic story from a canine point of view.

To celebrate the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new family production of A Christmas Carol, introduce the love of theatre to your family with our fun active session, and work as an actor does: on your feet. No previous knowledge required.

LB77

Word Wizards Rhyme Time Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 4+ and the whole family Hey diddle diddle, are you ready to riddle?

Join wacky word wizards Sara-Jane Arbury and Fiona Ross as they take you on a jolly holiday to the wonderful world of Nursery Rhymes! Expect zany names, crazy games and lots of words that sound the same. If you’re young or old, shy or bold, this family show is a ton of fun for everyone aged 4-104!

12.30–1.30pm

LB78

Ali-A The Times Forum £8 * Age 9+

There will not be a book signing after this event.

YouTube superstar Ali-A launches his first graphic novel. Ali-A Adventures: Game On! has action, adventure, aliens and features Ali-A and Eevee as you’ve never seen them before. Hear how Ali began his career on YouTube and what it feels like to be a superhero in his first book. There will also be an opportunity to ask Ali questions.

12–1pm 11.30am–12.15pm

LB73

Oliver Elephant The Hive £6 * Age 3+ Oliver Elephant is the story of a little boy Noah who loses his beloved toy elephant on a shopping trip. Join illustrator Helen Stephens as she reads, and draws, from her new book. You’ll be able to draw along with Helen too. If you like you can bring your special toy along but be sure to keep them safe!

14

LB76

Island Adventures Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+ Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of the bestselling The Girl of Ink & Stars and The Island at the End of Everything talks with author Jen Campbell about the myths, magic and adventure behind her stories.

Hear why her books are set on islands, Kiran’s top tips on creating your own fictional world and her incredible journey to becoming an award-winning writer.

1–1.45pm

LB79

Isadora Moon The Hive £6 * Age 6+ Half vampire, half fairy, Isadora Moon is totally unique! In her latest adventure Isadora goes on a school trip to a spooky old castle.

Discover what happens next in an interactive storytime and fun craft workshop with Harriet Muncaster. Wear your best Isadora Moon fancy dress to win a prize!

* Plus transaction fee: charged per order, not per ticket. £2.50 for online and telephone sales, and £1.50 for in person bookings with credit/debit cards. No fee for cash bookings.

2–3pm

LB80

Guinness World Records 2018 Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 9+ and the whole family Editor in Chief, Craig Glenday, brings the world of Guinness World Records to life with an interactive and fun packed hour, featuring content from the brand new titles for 2017 – Amazing Animals, the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition now it its eleventh year, and of course, the world famous Guinness World Records annual.

2.30–3.15pm

LB82

4–5pm

LB84

The Story Of Space

Team Hero Show

The Hive £6 * Age 6+

Town Hall, Pillar Room £6 * Age 7+

From the birth of the first stars to life on Earth, listeners will discover the story of our universe. Pulling on planet T-shirts and helping to create a timeline on stage, listeners will join authors Catherine Barr and Steve Williams on a fascinating journey from the beginning of time.

Calling all heroes! This is your chance to meet Chancellor Rex, headmaster of the worldfamous – and world-saving – Hero Academy.

You’ll need bravery, cunning and strength as you learn how to find your inner hero! From author of Beast Quest, Adam Blade, comes this stunningly exciting new series. Are you brave enough to join Team Hero?

4–4.45pm

Please note that Adam Blade will not be present in the event..

LB83

Franklin’s Flying Bookshop The Hive £6 * Age 4+ Franklin the dragon loves stories and wants to share them with as many people as he can...but everyone is scared of him.

Everyone, that is, apart from a young girl called Luna. Sunday Times bestselling author Jen Campbell launches her first picture book. Join her and award-winning illustrator Katie Harnett for storytelling and an interactive drawing session full of dragons, books and magic.

2–3pm

LB81

Lucy Worsley Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £8 * Age 11+ Join historian Lucy Worsley to find out about her latest novel for young people.

My Name is Victoria tells the story of life behind closed doors for the young Queen Victoria. There will be stories, facts, and even the chance to become part of history by taking part in a living timeline complete with props!

4.15-5pm

LB85

School Of Music Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre £6 * Age 8+ Actor-musicians take us on a whistle-stop tour of Meurig Bowen, Rachel Bowen and Daniel Frost’s The School of Music: 40 lessons that introduce you to learn about classical music, the theory, and the fun you can have making it. With fast-paced sketches and interactive musical games this is a event for all budding musicians and their families.

15

HOW TO BOOK cheltenhamfestivals.com +44 (0)1242 850270 Before the Festival: CF Ticketing Box Office, 15 Suffolk Parade, (GL20 2AE), Cheltenham.

Book in person or by phone From 1 Sept: Tues – Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm. Please note that the Box Office is closed during the Festival and on the key priority booking days noted below.

During the Festival: Festival Box Office in Montpellier Gardens (GL50 1UW), Cheltenham.

For full details about Box Office opening hours, in person and telephone ticket sales, booking fees, terms & conditions and Membership, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/booking If you have any special access requirements, such as needing to book a wheelchair space, you can book using our online form which will be available from 12 August at cheltenhamfestivals.com/booking

Booking Dates Members’ Priority Booking

Public Booking

Wednesday 30 August, from 1pm: Online booking (Wish Lists only). Please note that our Box Office will be closed on this day.

Wednesday 6 September, from 1pm: Online booking (Wish Lists only). Please note that our Box Office will be closed on this day.

Thursday 31 August, from 10am: Online and phone booking.

Please note that our Box Office will be closed on this day.

Thursday 7 September, from 10am: Online and phone booking.

Please note that our Box Office will be closed on this day.

Friday 1 September, from 10am: Online, phone and in person booking.

All illustrations by Jim Field; characters from the Oi! series by Kes Gray and Jim Field.

Friday 8 September, from 10am: Online, phone and in person booking.

Children under 12 Advice for parents All children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 16 or over. All attendees require a valid ticket unless indicated otherwise.

Quicker and Easier Booking with Wish Lists You must create a Wish List in advance to buy tickets on day 1 of Members or Public booking (30 August / 6 September). Go to cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature before booking opens.

Sign up to our enews and find out more about Membership at cheltenhamfestivals.com

Did you know... ...that we welcome over 7,000 pupils to our Literature Festival site each October?

Throughout the rest of the year, Cheltenham Festivals reaches out to even more students through a host of education programmes, impacting students, teachers and parents alike.

To find out more about our education projects and to support us, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com

Charity No. 251765