Hope you have a great time!
HELLO!
WHAt if...?
At Hull Libraries we love to use our imagination, and we know that the best ideas and stories happen when we ask, ‘What if….?’.
What if we want to fly to Mars? - What if we want to create a giant painting? - What if penguins get too cold? - What if a roller coaster could take you all around the world?
Combining information, arts, science and storytelling, this year The Big Malarkey Festival will share answers and creative ideas in every tent! Once you have your ticket to come through the gate, all the shows and activities are completely free! You can take your crafts home and even win a free book on Hook a Book! There are shows to watch, authors to meet, doodles to draw, stories to write and places to relax as well as our amazing Library Tent which is full of fabulous books.
Whether you buy food on site or bring a picnic, we promise you a fabulous day - there is something for all the family to enjoy at The Big Malarkey Festival!
B i G t OP
For talks, demos, live music & performance
MAKER s PA c E
Digital tent of wonders
MAKE it , TAKE it
Try all kinds of creative stuff to take home with you
L i VE & K ic KIN g
Smaller performances, talks and workshops
L i T t LE LARKEYS
For everyone under 5 and their grown-ups
LET’S WR i TE!
Drop by for some fun writing activities
t HE EXPERI-TENT
Accessible art and technology
P AR i SI Vi LLA g E
Rewilding Youth invite you to meet your Celtic ancestors
W ON d ERLAN d
A sensory walk-through adventure, created by Concrete Youth Theatre
Hu LL M AR i TIME
Get your hands on some fascinating objects from the museum collection
B OOK L OVE
The Multicultural Travelling Book
Carnival: multicultural books and more
Don’t miss the
LibRARY TENT
tHE R A b BIT H
OLE
Bookshop for browsing and book signings
QWERTY YURT
A chill out space to relax
+ LO ts MORE f AN t A st I c HAPPEN i NGS, f OO d KIOSKS , AND O f c O u R s E , I c E c REAM s!
WET WEATHER
An open-air event is subject to the weather. In case of rain we will try to continue the programme as far as safety allows – please check the forecast, and bring wet weather gear!
f OOD & d R i NK
Kiosks serving light refreshments will be available, and there is plenty of room for picnickers. Alcohol is not permitted on site.
AGE S
Please note the age recommendation for each event. These are guidelines, intended to help you plan your visit and have the best experience for your children.
U NA cc OMPAN i ED c HILDREN
This is a family festival and all activities are designed to be enjoyed by children accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children and adults will not be able to enter the site. It is ok to leave and re-enter the site with your family. If you lose each other please contact a steward.
The festival is an inclusive, Relaxed event, accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The site is wheelchair friendly, with disabled toilets. Many events are BSL interpreted - please check individual event details.
Malarkey Park is in East Park. The park is located to the east of the city centre, on Holderness Road, Hull, HU8 8JU.
The festival site is situated on the field towards the football and rugby pitches - the nearest entrance is Holderness Road.
O N f OOT Pedestrian entrances are at Holderness Road, East Park Avenue, Summergangs Road, and James Reckitt Avenue.
BY c AR Ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via main Holderness Road entrance. Non-ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via Woodford Leisure Centre, Holderness Road.
BY B ic Y c LE Cycle parking is available at the café, model boating pond, Animal Education Centre, boathouse, playground and youth zone.
BY BU s From the City Centre: 4, 8, 11, 56, 57 7
JUNE
AcTIViTY DAYs fOR ScHOOLS 24-27
Hull Libraries are passionate about offering schools in Hull every opportunity to enrich their learning.
We support schools through many activities and resources available via the Schools’ Library Service, including the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award for KS2 and KS3 pupils.
This year The Big Malarkey School Activity Programme brings 96 workshops to 2880 Hull pupils from Nursery to KS3. For more information please contact hullschoolslibrary@hcandl.co.uk
AR tists t AK i NG PAR t i N t HE S c HOOLS PROGRAMME TH is YEAR ARE :
Simon James Green / Ramzee / Donna David / Marie Basting / Petr Horacek / Alex Wharton / Concerteenies / The Herd / Squarepeg / Rewilding Youth / Sita Brand Storyteller / Hull
Music Hub / Kev F Sutherland / Memorabubble / Virpi Kettu / Humber Drum Circle / Dr
Huw Lewis Jones / What on Earth? Quiz / Paul Cookson / Liz Million
LibRARY TENT
Discover all the possibilities in our very own Library Tent! You can join the library for free, learn about our fun family activities, or simply snuggle up with an amazing story! Our librarians will be excited to meet you! The Libraries Business Team will also be in the library tent to help you plan and design your own adventure themed business, perhaps you’ll drive monster trucks to the moon, or maybe you’ll clean magic carpets? The only limit is your imagination.
ALl WEekENd
ALl WEekENd
Join the Makerspace Team over the weekend for a tent full of interactive activities to whet your creative whistle and tickle your techy tastebuds! Fun for all the family.
BOOKLOVE
tHE M UL t I c ULT u RAL tRAVELLIN g bOOK cARN i VAL
Step aboard BookLove - the brilliantly colourful multicultural and educational travelling book carnival and charity tent, filled to the brim with all things multicultural to browse, buy and enjoy!
This year BookLove are pleased to bring the following artists to The Big Malarkey Festival: Claire Linney / Millie Mensah / Nathan Hawthorne / Desiree Bashi
Join founder Samantha Williams and her guests throughout the weekend in BookLove’s colourful interactive pop-up carnival shop, offering an abundance of inclusive and anti-racist books, world music, flags, storytelling, and of course great vibes!
20p from every book sold goes towards their BookLove+Beyond GofundMe which puts free multicultural books into schools
Meet at the Library Tent
t HE HER d
The park needs fixing. The park needs play. Kids and their grown-ups join a team of playworkers to build, dress up, imagine, and fix the park through play.
Part show, part game, part infrastructure project, Essential Playworks is a performance that gets its audience playing.
SATURDAY // 11.15am / 1.00pm / 3.45pm
SUNDAY // 12.00pm / 1.15pm / 3.15pm
t HE d OODLE ROOM
Join award winning cartoonist and illustrator, Calvin Innes in the Doodle Room.
He’ll show you how to convert story ideas from your imagination, through your pen and onto a blank page. He’ll be joined by guest artists Petr Horacek, Ramzee, Tasneem Kausar, Nathan Hawthorne, Chris Mould and Charlotte Eldred. See listings for details.
WONdERLANd
ALl WEekENd
Mars Bound is a new sensory installation designed for audiences labelled with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, from award winning theatre company Concrete Youth.
Welcome to Mars! Step into your new martian life and join Bloom, Zest, and Bolt, your friendly neighbourhood residents for an unforgettable adventure on the red planet. Explore the wonders of Martian gardening with Bloom, discover the zesty marketplace with Zest, and help Bolt with their latest rover repair project. Get ready for a hands-on, sensory adventure as you learn what it’s truly like to live as a martian!
Please pop by and book your time slot to avoid queues. 17
MAKE it, TAKE it
Join the Square Peg construction crew to explore our futuristic city that we’ve created with children in Hull. You are invited to come and create something to add to the city or take home with you. It could be a flying car or a floating house or anything else that you can imagine!
L ET ’ S W RITE !
Are you aged 6 – 16? Do you love to write? Drop by for some fun writing activities...
What If..? The World was Mine to Write
Join Dr Ed Hurst and creative writing students from the University of Hull in creating a brand-new fictional future right before your eyes! Come and create astronauts, planets and monsters from the depths of space in our drop-in sessions as we work together to write the future of a brand new world.
ALl WEekENd
PARIS i V i LLAGE
Rewilding Youth will take you on a WILD adventure to explore how our ancestors used the natural resources around them to survive and thrive in the wild.
BUSHCRAFT
Try your hand at traditional bushcraft practices such as shelter building, earth-building and green woodwork and explore how these traditional skills have been used throughout history.
ECOSYSTEMS
Envision a ‘What If’ world, where small actions in our gardens and neighbourhoods contribute to thriving, sustainable ecosystems. Together, we will explore how we can make a positive impact on the natural world, creating wild gardens and green spaces that support both wildlife and people.
ALl WEekENd
Creature Creations with Hull Museums and Hull Maritime.
Join the Hull Museums and Hull Maritime teams for fun craft activities, object handling and games inspired by the Microworld family exhibition at Ferens Art Gallery and the amazing Maritime Museum collections.
Create your own creature themed makes inspired by the natural world and mythical beings.
EXPREsS YOuRsELf!
Hull’s award-winning hip hop artists are back with a bus-full of workshops to explore the magic of music, and the power of sharing.
Drop by for rap, poetry and spoken word workshops. Have a go at graffiti style lettering and drawing, or create a breakdancing routine with your friends. It’s all about friendship, kindness and imagination – come and enjoy!
ALl WEekENd
cROW HOuSE
A derelict house appears in the middle of the street. The windows are shattered and a keep out sign bars the front door. A furious bird has taken up residency in the chimney and squawks territoriality when anyone comes near the house. One by one three very different characters arrive through the audience and try to take over the house. A battle of wills and skills ensues with ducking and diving, wheeling and dealing and ingenious plans evolving as each person tries to gain a room inside. Little by little in a choreographed frenzy of acrobatics, silks trapeze, hat juggling and circus slap stick they begin to accept each other and work to create a home, together, within the battered house. The only remaining problem... the furious bird in the chimney.
A wonderful silent movie inspired show using an eclectic mix of circus, puppetry, musical saw, harp playing and audience participation.
SATURDAY// 11.45 - 12.35pm / 3.10 - 4.00pm
SUNDAY // 11.40 - 12.30pm / 3.00 - 4.00pm
WEekENd
ci TY
SO u N ds
Join Drake Music for an accessible and inclusive adventure creating the sounds of the perfect city!
Using accessible instruments and technology we will create sounds and music inspired by the fabulous artwork created at Square Peg’s workshops during the festival.
These fun and creative workshops are suitable for school age children with any access requirement and any level of music experience. Disabled children are particularly encouraged to come and join in! 4 workshops will take place each day in the marvellous and accessible Experi-tent. Book a space on the day.
SATURDAY// 10.00am - 2.45pm
SUNDAY // 12.30pm - 4.40pm
Have you ever wondered what happens to a poowhenyouflushitdownthe loo?We have!
SUNDAYSATURDAY//11.45am/2.30pm //11.30am/2.30pm
ALl WEekENd
Adelightfullydisgustinginteractive game-showforyoungscientists, exploringtheextraordinaryworldof water,pipes,andpoo! Show lasts 30 minutes
SATuRDAY
28 JUNE 25
B OOK cOVER D ES i GNER
Unleash your creativity in this fun drop-in workshop.
Come and design your very own book cover using a mix of digital tools and hands-on crafting. Whether you prefer drawing with pencils or playing with pixels, this session is perfect for exploring ideas and expressing imagination in unique and exciting ways.
The Reel Creative team will be on hand with guidance, inspiration, and all the materials needed to help each child bring their vision to life before printing their finished design to take home. It’s a great opportunity to build confidence with digital tools while having fun and being creative.
10.00 - 12.00
6+ years Makerspace Craft workshop
R OYAL I NST itu TE
E NERGY L IVE !
S ci EN c E S HOW
In this amazing Energy Live! Science Show The Royal Institute will demonstrate fabulous experiments to launch rockets, blow bubbles, and share an exciting insight into the energy all around us.
10.30 - 11.30am / 4.00 - 5.00pm
All the family Big Top Science show
cREA t E YO u R OWN c OM ic BOOK HERO
Hawthornearts is a husband and wife duo redefining storytelling with their bold and diverse characters and epic fantasy and sci-fi stories. Join us in the Doodle Room to learn about the character design process and draw your very own comic book hero.
10.45 - 11.45am 6+ years Doodle Room Drawing
g u LL i VER ’s tRAVELS
Set in the present day, Gaby Gulliver, an eight-year-old child, is sent on an errand into the woods for her mum…
Gaby finds herself in another universe, then another, and another, as she travels on a magical journey through time and space!
This contemporary reimagining of Gulliver’s Travels by Indigo Moon Theatre uses shadow puppetry to explore how it feels to be big or small.
11.00 - 11.45am / 2.15 - 3.00pm
6+ years
Live and Kicking Theatre performance
WINdRUSH LETtERS
11.00 - 12.00pm
6+ years
BookLove
Writing
Go back in time and see what's inside the Travelling Windrush Suitcase. Filled to the brim with all things Windrush alongside the music from the time, this archive and memorabilia will be the inspiration behind our nostalgic letter writing workshop.
MARBLE RUN
Join the Makerspace Team for an amazing marble run challenge.
11.00 - 12.00pm
5+ years
Make It, Take It
Crafts
VOYAgE Of discOVERY
Mambo Jambo’s Voyage of Discovery featuring animals and instruments! Come and join Pete & Frankie when they arrive with a whole bunch of instruments for a voyage of discovery. We may travel across the sea, to the rainforest and jungle, arrive at a farm, and turn up in Australia! Of course we’re going to encounter lots of animals and lots of music and songs! Expect to shake along, sing along, flutter like a butterfly, swim with the fish, boing like a kangaroo & more! Children will be encouraged to get involved in a fun and delightful songs and music session with an animal theme.
11.15 - 12.00pm / 4:15 - 5.00pm
2 - 6 years
Little Larkeys
Music performance
PH i LIPPA LEA t HLEY
Join local author Philippa Leathley for a fun, interactive workshop, inspired by her novel Inkbound. You will need to consider everything about your magical New City as we capture it on a giant map. Who lives there? How do they travel around? What fantastical shops, landmarks and secret passageways can we invent, and are there any stories hidden in its winding streets? There are no limits to what’s possible so long as you bring your imagination!
11.45 - 12.45pm 7+ years
Let’s Write
Creative writing + book signing
PERfEct HARMONY
Can three FINtastic friends avoid total CATastrophe? And can YOU help them?
Come and meet bestselling author Kristina Stephenson and three fabulous singing fish Maureen, Titchy Fish and Ada at this very special interactive event to launch her new picture book Perfect Harmony, published by Puffin.
Find out how three real goldfish became the incredible but unlikely pop stars in this deliciously funny rhyming story from the creator of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, with pictures by Alex Willmore (The Runaway Pea). With interactive storytelling, music, craft and a chance to sing in perfect harmony with the FINTASTICS, this is a funfilled family event not to miss.
12.00 - 12.40pm
All the family
Live & Kicking
Meet the author + book signing
PETR HORA c EK
12.00 - 12.45pm / 2.45 - 3.30pm
All the family
Doodle Room
Drawing + book signing
Don’t miss this exciting, hands-on workshop with Petr Horácek, awardwinning author and illustrator of many picture books including Silly Suzy Goose, Greedy Goat, Puffin Peter and Blue Monster.
Petr will be reading from some of his books and introducing and drawing his favourite characters.
Petr will also show you how to draw and make your very own monster. It may be a teeny bit scary, but it’s definitely going to be fun! Anyone who likes picture books and holding a pencil is welcome!
tRAINs, tRAINs, tRAINs
Join author Donna David for a fun and engaging session based on her book Trains, Trains, Trains.
Expect to use every part of your body to tell the story, play transport games, and enjoy a transport disco!
MiGRATiON cREATiONs
12.15 - 1.15pm
8+ years
BookLove
Meet the author + book signing
This fascinating session on migration is led by Millie Mensah - children's author and educator from the The Black Curriculum.
If you're interested in the journeys we all make throughout life, then this is the session for you!
12.15-1pm / 2.15-3pm
0 - 6 years
Little Larkeys
Storytelling
Q&A with the author and create your own migration story too!
ALL tHE LOLS!
A laugh-out-loud and feel-good session which has reading for pleasure (and kids squawking like chickens!) at the heart of it!
Join author Simon James Green for a whistle-stop tour of his hilarious comedy novels for 7-12 year-olds. You’ll be in stitches as Simon recounts the awkward events and mishaps from his own school days which inspired the books, before joining the sleepover birthday party of your nightmares, where someone will end up getting married. Then puzzle over some fiendish riddles, and battle it out for the dubious honour of being the best liar in the audience. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe … and one of you will definitely be shouting, “I need to pee!”
12.30 - 1.30pm 7+ years Big Top
Meet the author + book signing
di Y f AM i LY t REE
Create your very own family tree with Tasneem Kausar!
A fun and interactive session where families design and personalise their trees.
BSALMA’sOLLYWOOD AcADEMY
Combine your love of music and storytelling by dancing with Salma Zaman from Salma’s Bollywood Academy. You’ll have a fun time exploring the music, mixing poses with shimmies,and learning some new moves!
12.30 - 2.30pm
6+ years Make It, Take It
Craft workshop
1-1.45pm / 3.45-4.45pm
4+ years
Live & Kicking
Dance workshop
MiXEd-UP MYtHOLOGicALcHARActERS
Author Marie Basting loves to mix up mythology.
Inspired by the quirky characters in her latest timeslip adventure, Auntie Medusa and Me, children will work with Marie to create their own mixed-up mythological creatures.
They’ll then draw their creation on a Roman scroll and tell us some key facts about them in the form of a Wanted poster. With top writing tips from Marie, they’ll use the scroll to inspire the opening to their very own mythical adventure story! Come and meet the author, followed by a book signing.
1.00 - 2.00pm 7+ years
Let’s Write Writing
cLiVE PENGuiN
A firm favourite with our 2025 Picture Book Award selection team, the lovely story of Clive Penguin, a penguin who doesn’t like the cold read by the author, Dr Huw Lewis-Jones. Come and meet the author, followed by a book signing.
1.15 - 2.00pm
2 - 6 years Little Larkeys Meet the author + book signing
RAMZEE
Do you have lots of creative ideas but not sure how to get them down on paper?
Join award winning storyteller, cartoonist and shortlisted James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award author-illustrator Ramzee in the Doodle Room.
Ramzee will share how he turned his main character in The Cheat Book, Kamal from invisible to invincible and guide you through the process of taking ideas and turning them into your own unique creation.
1.15 - 2.15pm 7+ years
Doodle Room
Meet the author
BAcK IN tiME
Join Claire for a time-travelling adventure through some of the most amazing and intriguing figures of Black British history.
From circus trailblazers in the 19th Century to mysterious silk thieves in Tudor times, this workshop will take you on a journey of discovery like never before!
In this session, not only will you learn about fascinating Black characters from the past, but you’ll also be writing your own short time-travelling story too.
1.30 - 2.30pm 7+ years
BookLove
Meet the author + book signing
2.00 - 3.00pm
6+ years
Big Top
Meet the author
ALEX WHARTON
Alex Wharton is the current Children’s Laureate of Wales and an Award winning writer and performer of poetry.
His debut collection, Daydreams and Jellybeans was hugely well received and since then he has published a further three collections of poetry. His new book, Red Sky in the Morning, Poets Warning was published earlier this year. All of Alex’s collections are filled with funny and thoughtful poems aimed at developing a love of language and self-expression and his performances are dynamic and engaging.
Not to be missed!
dANciNg WItH
YOUR EYES
Join author and illustrator Desiree Bashi of Dancing with Your Eyes as she explores her heritage through dance, eye movement and storytelling.
2.45 - 3.30pm 5+ years
BookLove
Dance workshop
3.00 - 5.00pm 6+ years
Make It, Take It
Craft workshop
MAKE IT WiTH ‘bcA’
Join Jon Keene and Bransholme Community Arts for an exciting arts and crafts workshop.
d O PENGUIN s L i KE t HE c OL d ?
Do you know your Kings from your Emperors? Can you tell your Macaroni from your Rockhoppers?
Penguins are popular characters for stories and films, but do they really like the cold?
Do they really love to dance or are they just trying to keep their feet warm?
Grab your walking boots and pick up your notebook, we’re going on an expedition to discover the secret life of penguins with Polar explorer and writer Dr Huw Lewis-Jones.
3.00 - 4.00pm
7+ years
Let’s Write Creative writing
dOctOR fAIRYTALE
3.15 - 4.00pm
2 - 6 years
Little Larkeys
Storytelling
Meet author Catherine Jacob and learn all about Doctor Fairytale's busy day.
This interactive story will include crafts, costumes and more.
dRAWiNg ME!
Explore your own identity and cultural background to create your very own self-portraits with author and illustrator Desiree Bashi.
3.45 - 4.30pm 6+ years
BookLove
Drawing
HOW t O DRAW MAN g A
Learn the basics of drawing a manga character with Tasneem Kausar.
We’ll explore face shapes, features, shading, and expressions step by step.
Each child will also receive a printed booklet to take home for extra practice.
4.00 - 5.00pm
6+ years
Doodle Room
Drawing
ViRtuAL REALItY LITERAcY EXPERiENcE
This fun, family-friendly VR session invites you to explore the world of words in a whole new way.
The Reel Creative team will be on hand to help you step into an immersive world and discover a playful, creative experience where reading meets imagination in surprising and immersive ways. Designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection, this activity blends education with entertainment in an exciting and accessible way. Perfect for families looking to try something a little different, it’s reading with a twist.
Come along and get ready to explore a new dimension of storytelling!
4.00 - 5.00pm
7+ years
Experi-tent VR
BOOKING IS REQUIRED ON THE DAY
SUNdAY 29 JUNE 25
t HE u N ic ORN LA b
Design your very own magical unicorn!
Create and decorate your own dream unicorn with Tasneem Kausar.
We’ll use cardboard and plenty of imagination!
10.00 - 12.00pm
All the family Make It, Take It
Craft workshop
MUsEUM Of MARVELLOus tHiNGS
Make stars in jars, catch moons like balloons, dance with Doo-Dahs in cages, sing with Noo-Nahs on stages, and marvel at the many wonders on display inside this amazing place. Because this is a museum like no other. It’s made from the magic of your imagination - and you get to bring it alive!
Meet giant puppets, characters Norbert Norris and Tilly T Pott as they give you a sneak peek inside this extraordinary museum, full of magical effects, live music and chance to make your own puppet. This is a fun-filled family event based on the picture book by Kristina Stephenson. Come on in, let the magic begin!
10.30 - 11.30am
All the family Big Top Theatre performance
Join author and illustrator Desiree Bashi of Dancing with Your Eyes as she explores her heritage through dance, eye movement and storytelling.
VR LiTERAcY EXPERIENcE
This fun, family-friendly VR session invites you to explore the world of words in a whole new way.
10.30 - 11.30am
5+ years
BookLove
Dance workshop
10.30 - 11.30am
7+ years
Experi-tent
VR
Step into an immersive world and discover a playful, creative experience where reading meets imagination in surprising ways. Come along and get ready to explore a new dimension of storytelling! Booking is required on the day.
tHE HARE ANd THE MOON
“The Moon has been watching the world since time began. I wonder how many stories it has to tell?”
Have you ever wondered why when the Moon is full, the shadow of a Hare is cast across its face?
When a stranger wanders into the woods all the animals try to help them. But Hare has no gift to give. How far will she go to make another happy? Hoglets Theatre will take you on a magical journey, exploring the true meaning of kindness using interactive storytelling, puppetry and original music.
11.00 - 12.00pm / 2.15 - 3.00pm
All the family Live & Kicking Theatre performance
d
E s I g N YO u R
PER f E ct L i
BRARY
Design your very own Library and share your amazing ideas with us.
c ON c ER t EEN i ES
Join the Concerteenies for a lively and interactive session full of music, movement, and sensory fun for under fives.
11.00 - 12.00pm
All the family Doodle Room Drawing
11.15 - 12.00pm
0 - 5 years
Little Larkeys Music performance
dO bEARs POOP iN tHE WOODS?
Do you know your pandas from your polar bears? Can you tell the difference between a sun bear and a sloth bear?
Bears are familiar to us all, but what you might not realise is that behind their big, grizzly image are wild animals who really need our help. So put on your walking boots, grab your binoculars and come along on a journey with Dr Huw Lewis-Jones to see the eight incredible bear species in the wild. Not only will you discover why bears poop so much, you’ll learn how to avoid getting eaten by one and what we can all do to protect them.
11.30 - 12.30pm 7+ years
Let’s Write
Meet the author + book signing
dRAWiNg ME!
Explore your own identity and cultural background to create your very own self-portraits with author and illustrator Desiree Bashi.
cREAtE YOuR OWN cOMic BOOK HERO
12.15 - 1.15pm
6+ years
Doodle Room
Drawing + book
signing
Hawthornearts is a husband and wife duo redefining storytelling with their bold and diverse characters and epic fantasy and sci-fi stories. Come and learn about the character design process and draw your very own comic book hero.
11.45 - 12.30pm
6+ years
BookLove
Drawing
M ALARKEY S OUN dsc APES
Explore Malarkey Park with artists Matt Fratson and The Aimless Archive to record sounds and create a photo journal of the urban green space and magical moments at Malarkey Park.
12.20 - 1.20pm / 3.30 - 4.30pm
5+ years
Library Tent + Roaming
Audio art
Photos we choose on the day will be combined with the recordings and included in the exhibition Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at Hull Central Library.
Please meet at the Library Tent.
MALARKEY gALLERY
A showcase of marvellous Malarkey artwork!
Including films by Hull’s Young Storytellers, ‘What if…?’ stopframe animated films, and music performances created by young people and their families.
12.30 - 1.30pm
All the family
Live & Kicking
Film & music
Join young creatives from Explorers in Libraries art groups for the Explorers Make It Take It Takeover!
Supported by Artlink Hull artist facilitators Liz Knight, Sharisse Ullah and Anna Bean, this workshop will be all things bright and brilliant!
Get ready to use your imagination and creativity to produce a wonderful wearable to don around the festival site.
Explorers in Libraries meet weekly in term-time at Greenwood, Gipsyville and Ings Libraries. Interested in becoming an Art Explorer? Ask the artists or pop into your local library for info.
12.30 - 2.30pm
All the family Make It, Take It
Craft workshop
BI-POLAR BLOB WItH JODiE SMitH
An interactive craft and storytime based on recognising and managing emotions.
12.45 - 1.30pm
3 - 5 years
Little Larkeys
Storytelling
tHE H O u D i NI iNHER it AN c E
Join Queen of Historical Fiction
Emma Carroll as she introduces the magical world of her brand-new novel, The Houdini Inheritance.
Discover everything there is to know about the world-famous escape artist Harry Houdini and his suitcase full of secrets!
Plus, pick up tips on how to fire your imagination and write your very own stories.
12.45 - 1.45pm 7+ years
Big Top
Meet the author + book signing
BAcK iN tIME
1.00 - 2.00pm
6+ years
BookLove
Meet the author
Join Claire for a time-travelling adventure through some of the most amazing and intriguing figures of Black British history. Not only will you learn about fascinating Black characters from the past, but you'll also be writing your own short time-travelling story too.
SusANNAH LLOYd
Welcome to a world where not all humans are what they seem... Badgers pass unnoticed among us, piloting BADGER OPERATED PERSONS and getting things JOLLY WELL DONE! But are YOU ready to begin your studies in BADGERING FOR BEGINNERS?
1.15 - 2.15pm
7+ years
Let’s Write
Meet the author
PAN t O LA u N c H: BEAU t Y & t HE BEA st
Join us in the Big Top as we welcome the cast of this year’s Hull New Theatre pantomime to the city. There will be autographs and selfies - oh yes there will!
B ELLE ’s B OOKWORM s
The cast and the Library Team will host a special storytime for under 5s.
2.00 - 2.30pm All the family Big Top Meet the cast
3.15 - 4.00pm 2 - 5 years
Little Larkeys Storytelling
SENSORY PLAY
Relax for a while with some sensory play.
2.00 - 2.45pm
0 - 5 years
Little Larkeys
Sensory play
Ear defenders and stim tools are free to borrow
Visit our Qwerty Yurt to relax and reset.
The Library Tent offers a quiet place to relax and read
cHRis MOULd
Join illustrator Chris Mould and discover his love of storytelling and drawing as a child, and his route through art school into children’s book publishing. The Iron Man workshop will explain Chris’s creative process from developing concept artwork right through to finished artwork and book production.
MiGRATiON cREATiONs
2.15 - 3.15pm 8+ years
BookLove
Meet the author + book signing
This fascinating session on migration is led by Millie Mensah - children's author and educator from the The Black Curriculum.
If you're interested in the journeys we all make throughout life, then this is the session for you!
2.15 - 3.15pm 6+ years
Doodle Room
Drawing
Q&A with the author and create your own migration story too!
MiKE BARfIELd
3.00 - 4.00pm
6+ years
Let’s Write
Meet the author + book signing
Come and join Blue Peter award-winning children’s author Mike Barfield for a family-friendly rollercoaster ride through a hilarious history of inventions. Expect jokes, props, lots of audience participation and more lightbulb moments than a funfair after dark!
MAKE IT WiTH ‘bcA’
Join Jon Keene and Bransholme Community Arts for some exciting arts and crafts!
3.00 - 5.00pm 5+ years
Make It, Take It
Crafts
YO u d E c I d E!
Decisions? Decisions! Join award-winning author and comedian Helen Rutter for an exciting, high-energy event celebrating The Boy With Big Decisions.
This unique, interactive novel lets readers navigate multiple story pathways in a gamified format. Together, children will build their own branching narrative inspired by real-life decisions they’ve faced. Remember, every action has consequences!
3.30 - 4.30pm
7+ years
Live & Kicking
Meet the author + book signing
WINdRUSH LETtERS
3.30 - 4.30pm
6+ years
Booklove
Writing
Go back in time and see what's inside the Travelling Windrush Suitcase. Filled to the brim with all things Windrush alongside the music from the time, this archive and memorabilia will be the inspiration behind our nostalgic letter writing workshop.
IscHiEVOus RATS
Have you been following the Mischievous Rats trail? Did you discover the Mischievous Rat in East Park? Here’s a chance to join one of the Mischievous Rat artists, Charlotte Eldred for a ratty doodle workshop. Whether you prefer patterns, monochrome or multicolours we’re certain that in this workshop you’ll discover just how mischievous rats might be.
3.45 - 4.45pm
All the family Doodle Room Drawing
Penguin Blue and his friends are in for a surprise! It all starts with a windy day and a brand new kite… Come fly away with Penguin Blue as he gets caught in a gust of wind and the adventure begins.
Concerteenies musicians and Polly Ives (narrator) will perform new music by Paul Rissmann based on the book by Rob Biddulph.
Vic Craven’s illustrations will bring the book to life on the big screen! With fun actions and songs to join in with and a relaxed and friendly environment, this is a perfect introduction to music, animation and storytelling.
4.00 - 5.00pm
All the family Big Top Music performance
tHANK YOu
Hope to see you next year! A bIg THANK YOU TO OuR fUNdERS & fRiENDS:
t HANKS TO OUR f E sti VAL s PONSORS :
Howdo Yorkshire for support with distribution and promotion for the festival. Hird and Headland Plant for supporting our festival infrastructure.
tHANKS TO OUR PEOPLE: Hull Libraries staff and volunteers / HEY volunteers / Helen Thackeray / Howard Flitton and the East Park Team / EPICompany Ltd / Our amazing festival team for creating a weekend of magic for us all to enjoy! / And of course to you for joining us, you’ve been amazing!
Hope to see you next year!
f E st IVAL TEAM
Claire Thompson / Festival Producer
Joshua Bell / Event Site Manager
Gavin Turner / Technical Manager
Nick Quantrill / Artist Liaison
Bobbie Wathen / Festival Support
Cath Anderson, Rachael Forrester, Sam
Dobbs / Staff & Volunteer Co-ordinators
Amy Jeffrey, Kay Walton and Hull SLS / Schools Week Co-ordinators
Lucy King / Design and Marketing