THE BIG MALARKEY FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2026 by Hull Libraries

PARK EAST PARK, HULL

Hope you have a great time!

HELLO!

IT’ S A MALARKEY MYstERY!

It’s the 9th Big Malarkey Festival AND the National Year of Reading and we’re very excited to welcome everybody back to Malarkey Park.

This June our theme is ‘It’s a mystery!’ and we’ll be filling the park with puzzles, collecting clues, dressing up in disguises and exploring some of the best and most fun mysteries in the City. Of course we’ll have lots of fabulous authors, illustrators, dancers, musicians, artists and theatre companies to enjoy, as well as free books for everyone to take home from the Hook-A-Book stall.

Whether you’ll choose to complete a secret mission, solve puzzles by writing with your toes or join in a Great Detective Adventure we’ve got something for everyone. So, take your time, look for the clues, find the spaces to get creative, the places to explore and the chilled areas to relax and play games between shows and stories.

We’ll see you down at the park - find us by the bunting - let’s see how many Malarkey Mysteries we can solve together!

Photo credit: Tom Arran 2025

BIG t OP

For talks, demos, live music & performance

MAKER s PA c E

Digital tent of wonders

MAKE I t , TAKE I t

Try all kinds of creative stuff to take home with you

LIVE & KI c K i N g

Smaller performances, talks and workshops

LIT t LE LARKEYS

For everyone under 5 and their grown-ups LET’S WRITE!

Drop by for some fun writing activities

t HE EXPER i -TENT

Accessible art and technology

The site has all kinds of marquees for different activities

P ARIS i V ILLA 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

t HE d OODLE TENT

Join award winning cartoonist and illustrator Calvin Innes & special guests

B OOK L OVE

The Multicultural Travelling Book

Carnival: multicultural books and more

tHE R A b B i T H OLE

Bookshop for browsing and book signings

QWERTY YURT

A chill out space to relax

Don’t miss the

LIbRARY TENT

You will need a ticket to access the festival site – it will be swapped for a wristband at the gate.

We will make a limited number of tickets available on the door, but to be sure of a place, please purchase your ticket in advance - they are cheaper too!

Wristbands are also availalable from any Hull library.

• Child

£3.50 / £4.50 OTD

• Adult £6.50 / £7.50 OTD

• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £18 / £22.00 OTD

• Disabled parent/guardian + 1 free carer’s ticket £5

• Weekend Pass (admits 4 Saturday + Sunday) £30

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must be accompanied by a child!

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!

FOOD & DRINK

Kiosks serving light refreshments will be available, and there is plenty of room for picnickers. Alcohol is not permitted on site.

AGES

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.

UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN

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.

Malarkey Park is in East Park, Hull.

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.

Pedestrian entrances are at Holderness Road, East Park Avenue, Summergangs Road, and James Reckitt Avenue.

Cycle parking is available at the café, model boating pond, Animal Education Centre, boathouse, playground and youth zone.

Buses from the City Centre include the numbers: 4, 8, 11, 56, 57

Ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via main Holderness Road entrance. Non-ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via Woodford Leisure Centre, Holderness Road.

ENV i RONMEN t

We are working to become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly festival in 2026, and beyond...!

• Increasing recycling options on site

• Reducing festival waste

• Working with local and sustainable partners and suppliers

• Considering the environment in our purchasing and selection decisions

You can help us to become more sustainable by:

• Travelling to the festival by walking or on public transport

• Bringing drinks bottles with you

• Using the recycling bins on site to keep recyclable items separate to food waste and non-recyclable items

• Recycling your festival wristbands via your household recycling

A cc E s S

The festival is an inclusive, Relaxed event, accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The site is wheelchair friendly, and will have track matting on site to support wheelchair users in wet weather.

There will be accessible toilets and a changing places toilet on the festival site.

Many of the events at the festival are relaxed, accessible and / or BSL interpreted to support access.

You are able to wear your ear defenders on site and are encouraged to bring any STIM toys that may help you to enjoy your day at the festival.

Please visit our website to:

• View our social story

• View our digital programme

• Learn more about which activities are accessible

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 business. Perhaps you’ll be a private eye, or maybe you’ll be a crossword creator? The only limit is your imagination.

ALl WEekENd

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

Step aboard BookLove - the multicultural and educational travelling book carnival and charity tent.

You’ll love BookLove’s colourful interactive pop-up shop filled to the brim with an abundance of things to browse, buy and enjoy! Inclusive and anti-racist books, world music, flags, storytelling, and of course great vibes!

This year BookLove founder Samantha Williams is pleased to bring Mariesa Dulak to The Big Malarkey Festival.

20p from every book sold goes towards their BookLove+Beyond GofundMe which puts free multicultural books into schools

t HE HER d

There is definitely not a Hidden Playground at this year’s Big Malarkey. So don’t even try and find it.

Definitely don’t search the tents for a secret entrance that leads to a world of play. There is absolutely NOT a hidden space where you will receive a secret play mission. This is 100% not a space where you can dress up, build, imagine, adventure. There is no HIDDEN PLAYGROUND to find.

NOPE. DEFINITELY, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

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 Ben Rothery, Salomey Doku, Eric Huang, Kev F Sutherland, Liz Million, Tasneem Kausar, Kate Thompson and the Wollstonecraft Society. See listings for details.

ALl WEekENd

WONdERLANd

This show is designed for audiences labelled with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, from award winning theatre company Concrete Youth.

THE LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS: Far beneath the rolling waves lies a world of shimmering light and rhythmic tides. While the maps of the surface world call it “lost,” the citizens of Atlantis know better - their city is vibrant, breathing, and waiting for you.

Join our three aquatic guides on a sensory journey through the heart of the deep.This isn’t just a story; it’s a full-sensory expedition. Feel the cool rush of the currents, witness the glow of bioluminescent gardens, and hear the melodic hum of a city that never sleeps. Our mer-folk will lead you through their home, proving that the magic of Atlantis is very much alive. Please pop by and book your time slot to avoid queues.

MAKE It, TAKE It

Spy Disguises

Explore how changing your appearance creates mystery and secrecy by joining Squarepeg Arts for a hands-on, drop-in workshop where you can create playful spy disguises using paper moustaches, glasses, beards and hats, and then design your own Spy ID cards.

L ET ’ S W R i TE !

Are you aged 6 – 16? Do you love to write? Drop by for some fun writing activities...

It’s a Mystery!

Join Dr Ed Hurst and Creative

Writing students from the University of Hull in their drop-in writing workshop - collaborating on a Whodunnit of epic proportions!

Add hidden rooms to a mysterious mansion, plant some plot twists that no one saw coming, and save your best reveals until right at the end. Join the Story Detectives and uncover the secrets hidden in your imagination.

ALl WEekENd

Join the team from Curiosity for questions, crafting and quizzical

This is your chance to ask a question and become a star on the socials or just grab a pen and help create content with us.

EXPREsS YOuRSELf!

ALl WEekENd

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 MEMORA bu B b LE

Look out for swirling colours and clouds of bubbles!

Memorabubble will be on site throughout the weekend with their amazing, interactive bubble show.

Don’t miss the grand festival finale on Sunday when Memorabubble will be doing an extra special Bubble Stage Show in the Big Top.

ALl WEekENd

PAR i SI VILLAGE

Step into the Parisi Village and journey back in time to discover how our ancestors learned to resource, build, and thrive in the natural world.

Through playful, hands-on, and interactive activities, visitors of all ages can become history detectives, uncovering hidden clues and ancient mysteries through the lens of the Parisi Tribe.

Explore natural materials, experiment, imagine, and connect with the skills, stories, and ingenuity that shaped life long ago!

A M YSTERIOU s Mus I c AL M ALARKEY !

Join Drake Music in the Experi-tent for a fun, accessible, music-making adventure tailored to the access requirements and interests of those taking part.

Using accessible musical instruments we’ll explore the sounds we can make, then put our ideas together to create music we can share with friends and family after the workshop.

Saturday’s workshops:

• 10.10am - 11.30am

• 12.15pm - 1.35pm

Sunday’s workshops:

• 1.45pm - 3.05pm

• 3.30pm - 4.50pm

To chat about workshop suitability please contact michaeldollan@drakemusic.org

NO is Y NO i SE NOISE

Noisy Noise Noise is an interactive sound library for noisy children and their grown-ups.

This interactive installation will make sure that everyone is seen and heard. There are over 90 books, each of which will, when pressed with a gentle finger, trigger a noise. It could be a song, a film clip, a meme or just something a bit rude and funny!

It is the latest work from Working Boys Club, and produced by Activate Performing Arts. Installation live: Saturday and Sunday:

• 10.00am - 1.00pm

• 2.00pm - 5.00pm

ALl WEekENd

L’HOtEL

The “smallest hotel in the world” has arrived at Malarkey Park!

Watch amazed as this charming, eccentric, tiny venue erupts into glittering cabaret, dances into dream filled slumber and wakes to clattering kitchen choreography.

Acrobatics, globe walking, dead celebrities, French finesse, trumpeting and mime mayhem make this an enchanting show to delight an audience of any age or nationality.

Saturday and Sunday:

• 12.45pm - 1.30pm

• 4.00pm - 4.45pm

Join young creatives from Artlink Hull’s Explorers in Libraries project for the Make It Take It Takeover!

Get ready to explore local folklore and community belonging with artists Anna Bean, Liz Knight and Sharisse Ullah, and produce exciting artwork to take away.

Saturday and Sunday

• 10.00am - 12.00pm

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.

c HES s SE s H

Can you win a 5 minute chess match?

Join Hull and East Riding Chess Association in the Kaleidoscope tent at any time over the weekend to practice your game and challenge the experts.

Fancy playing in a chess tournament?

You can take part on Saturday and Sunday at 11.00am and 3.00pm. All ages and abilities of player can join in.

ALl WEekENd

MAG ic AL MYSTERY STAR TRA i

L

An interactive augmented experience inviting children and families to uncover Hull’s hidden stars in a magical mystery adventure.

Discover clues and unlock playful moments by scanning with a mobile device as the story unfolds. Blending creativity, exploration, and a touch of Malarkey mischief, the trail sparks curiosity and imagination - leading to a final reveal where those who complete the journey unlock a special prize!

c REA t IVE + t E c H

SUPER st ARS

Join the Reel Creative team in the Experi-Tent for a playful, hands-on session where creativity meets cuttingedge technology.

• Explore album cover design

• VR music experiences

• Create your own superstar avatars

• Meet a robot dog The session sparks imagination, builds confidence, and encourages selfexpression - inviting children to discover their talents in a fun, creative, and inspiring environment.

Saturday // 2.00 - 5.00pm

Sunday // 10.00 - 1.00pm

HOOK A BOOK

Catch a duck and win a FREE book!

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.

d

RES si NG UP

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. Create a brilliant disguise - come and transform yourself with some amazing costumes!

ALl WEekENd Looking for a place to relax at the festival?

Ear defenders and stim tools are free to borrow

ALl WEekENd Visit our Qwerty Yurt to relax and reset. The Library Tent offers a quiet place to relax and read

The Wonders of Moominvalley

23 May - 6 September

Ferens Art

Gallery

Free entry

WIN f REE t I c KETS!

Explore the magic of Moominvalley at Feren’s Art Gallery this summer with the acclaimed theatre company Get Lost and Found and their enchanting family show Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley. Beloved characters including Moomintroll, Snuffkin, Little My, Thingummy and Bob will appear through beautifully crafted 2D rod puppets and life size 3D puppets, original music, songs and atmospheric narration.

You could win a free family ticket to see the show on 22nd August 2026 by telling us your favourite story to share!

Collect a free entry form from Hull Museums in the Big Top or the Library Tent.

SATuRDAY

20 JUNE 26

PA u LINE QU i RK A c ADEMY

Enjoy a packed weekend of performance and play at the Big Malarkey Festival!

Be inspired by PQA Hull’s Shakespeare pieces – two bite-sized adaptations brought to life by talented students aged 6–18.

10.30 - 11.45am 5+ years Big Top Theatre Show

Are you ready for a Great Adventure?

Can you follow the clues, interview suspects and work out the truth?

Join Hull Truck Theatre for a detective-themed story packed with laughter, creativity, and fun. Each Great Adventure starts with a craft session followed by a fun interactive play that makes use of the children’s colourful creations.

10.30 - 12.00pm / 3.30 - 5.00pm

All the family

Live and Kicking Theatre

WiNdRUSH LETtERS

11-12pm / 4-5pm

All the family

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.

MARtiN HARWOOD

Join Sheffield based musician and early years educator Martin Harwood for singing, dancing, percussion and laughs.

Super-interactive musical fun for kids and grown-ups alike!

11-11.40am / 3-3.40pm

0 - 6 years

Little Larkeys

Music

Mic HELLE R OB i NSON

Guess Who With Michelle Robinson

Meet author Michelle Robinson for an introduction to some of her famously funny characters. Can you solve the clues and guess which ones you're going to meet?

This will be an upbeat and interactive session, with a focus on finding pleasure in reading. You can expect playful challenges, engaging storytelling and the inspiration to create stories of your own.

11.00 - 12.00pm

6+ years

Let’s Write

Creative Writing

STORY cARt

WEIRd ANd WONDERfuL ANiMALS

In this hands-on drawing workshop you’ll not only discover Ben Rothery’s passion for drawing wonderful creatures, but you’ll learn top tips for drawing realistic pictures of your favourite animals too! A must for every animal loving artist!

11.00 - 12.00pm 5+ years Doodle Room Drawing

11.15-12pm / 2.15-3pm

All the family

Malarkey Park

Storytelling

Watch out for Eden Ballantyne, the travelling storyteller and his Story Cart. Settle down for a tale, but what’s the story?

The audience together will help decide, and as the story cart transforms into a stage, maybe you will get up and join in an adventure or two or help bang a drum or rattle some bells to add to the story.

Join picture book illustrator and Leeds artist Salomey Doku for a ‘You Can Do Anything, Tyrone’ read-along and draw-along. Come and meet the illustrator followed by a book signing. YOU cAN DO ANYTHiNg tYRONE!

12.00 - 12.45pm

0 - 6 years Little Larkeys Meet the illustrator + book signing

fiERcE OR fRiENDLY?

What has been roaming about on the Big Malarkey festival field?!

Fierce or friendly?

Mysterious footprints...a weird egg... glowing eyes....a funny smell....

Let your imaginations go wild with top illustrator and author Liz Million as we illustrate creatures, beasts and weird characters.

In this child-led and fully interactive session you - the audience will choose what happens next...

Be sure to bring a spare pair of pants in case it gets too scary!

12.00 - 1.00pm 6+ years

Big Top

Drawalong

MALARKEY cHOiR + MALARKEY GALLERY

A showcase of marvellous Malarkey artwork!

Including a performance by The Malarkey Choir (featuring pupils from East Park School) and She Productions at 12.30, followed by a film show of stop-frame animations created by young people and families in the Extra Helpings workshops.

12.30 - 1.15pm

All the family

Live & Kicking

Film & music

ERic HUANg

12.30 - 1.30pm

6+ years

Doodle Room

Meet the author + book signing

Join author Eric Huang for a fun workshop where you’ll create magical maps and design your own lunar animal adventure inspired by the Guardians of the New Moon chapter book series. Eric will share how dinosaurs, fantasy, daily life, and East Asian myths from his childhood inspire his work.

AMAZING MAZES

Join artist Jon Keen to create your own maze artwork. Take a paint brush and start your journey. Each of the creations will join together to form one big amazing maze!

12.30 - 2.30pm

All the family Make It, Take It Art

MAR i ESA DULAK

Crocodiles, Ice Creams, Tigers and Trains!

Join Mariesa Dulak award-winning author of There’s a Tiger on the Train as she introduces her new book The Ice Cream Crocodile featuring Elvis the crocodile who longs to be a circus star.

There will be an interactive Storytime session, animal actions, singing, nursery rhymes, dancing and a bit of dress-up too.

12.30 - 1.15pm / 2.00 - 3.00pm 3 - 6 years

BookLove

Meet the author + book signing

SIMON PAcKHAM

‘Zak Monroe Is (NOT) My Friend’ is a story about making the move from primary to secondary school.

Simon will be talking about his life as a writer, playing a few writing games, discussing questions like, ‘what does it take to be a good friend?’ as well as offering a few tips that he hopes will make changing schools a little easier. And oh yes, there will DEFINITELY be a quiz!

1.15 - 2.15pm 9+ years Let’s Write Meet the author + book signing

tHE MYSTERIOUs MiNd Of MicHELLE ROBiNSON

What do a talking jelly, runaway sausages and a very mucky mammoth have in common? They all come from the big, bonkers imagination of Michelle Robinson!

In this interactive and upbeat session, Michelle Robinson will tell you about her job as a writer, including how she comes up with ideas, how long it takes to write her books and how many mistakes she makes along the way. Together, you’ll discover how having a big imagination makes you a stronger person.

1.20 - 2.20pm

5+ years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

D i SA bi LITY T ASKMA st ER !

1.45 - 2.45pm

All the family Live and Kicking Game Show

A hilarious, interactive game show where each game represents a different disability, giving kids and grown ups the chance to learn about Autism and Cerebral Palsy among others.With host Benny Shakes this is a show where disadvantage is an advantage!

A LL Ab O ut G RAPHI c

N OVEL s W i TH S ALOMEY dOK u

Based on Salomey’s ‘Brielle and Bear’ graphic novels, in this session you’ll learn all about the comic making process.

Salomey will get you drawing and show you how to use your ideas to create your very own graphic novels.

2.10 - 3.10pm

7+ years

Doodle Room

Drawing

2.30 - 3.30pm

7+ years

Let’s Write

Meet the author + book signing

A M YSTERY IS Af OO t!

Calling all budding detectives! Can you solve and write a puzzling mystery?

Join award-winning children’s author, K.R. Thompson, for a fun, creative and interactive workshop inspired by her puzzle-filled mystery adventure books, Werelock and Scratch - Mystery Most Puzzling and Werelock and Scratch - Robbery Most Puzzling.

Grab your detective hats and magnifying glasses and join K.R. Thompson to form The Malarkey Festival Detective Agency. A crime has been committed and it’s up to us to solve it! Identify suspects, find clues and follow the trail to solve the case, before switching into author mode to plot and start to write your very own mystery stories! Come along and join the detective fun!

tHE STREET ARt MYstERY

Join Sharna Jackson for a fastpaced, interactive session inspired by her novel Street Art Mystery. Dive into the opening chapter of a story packed with secrets, clues and unanswered questions, then explore puzzles and conundrums that get everyone thinking like a detective.

Discover whether you’re more Margot, Josie or Wesley, and what that reveals about how you spot clues and solve problems. Sharna shares how great mysteries are built, with practical tips for curious, confident storytelling.

2.40 - 3.40pm 8+ years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

KEV f’s cOMic

cYANOTYPE PRiNTS

Get hands on and design your own prints with the Victorian photographic process of cyanotype, uncovering the science behind creating images with light.

3.00 - 5.00pm

All the family

Make It Take It

Art

3.30 - 4.30pm

7+ years

Doodle Room

Drawing

ARt

MASTERcLAsS

Kev F Sutherland has written and drawn for Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics, and now makes graphic novels adapted from Shakespeare. Whatever stories you want to tell, Kev can teach you how.

dEADLY AND dAN g EROUS A NIMALS

Where in the world might you find the deadliest animals? How can you get close enough to draw a dangerous animal without actually being in danger? Grab your notebooks, we’re going on an adventure to discover some of the world’s most deadly and dangerous animals. You’ll be able to ask Ben Rothery questions about being an illustrator and naturalist, find out where he has visited to see the animals he draws, and how he stays safe drawing in the wild!

3.45 - 4.45pm 6+ years

Let’s Write

Meet the author + book signing

N ORA AN d THE M AP O f M AYHEM

Nora is not your average great-grandmother. She’s loud, rude, and VERY sassy. When her greatgrandchildren go to stay with her for the weekend, they get swept away on an epic adventure battling monsters and hunting lost treasure!

Award-winning author Joseph Elliott, star of CBeebies’ Swashbuckle and CBBC’s Big Fat Like will share the inspiration behind his books, his life as a TV actor and more!

3.45 - 4.45pm

6+ years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

RA i NBOW O f EMO t IONS

What colour is worry?

What does joy look like if you draw it?

Join local author/illustrator Jodie Smith for a hands-on doodling workshop inspired by ‘Rainbow of Emotions’, a book written and illustrated entirely by children at Thoresby Primary School through workshops facilitated and designed by Jodie.

Using the Happy Doodles method, you’ll explore how you can use drawing and storytelling to share and manage big emotions, and discover that there’s no wrong way to doodle.

For all ages. No art experience needed. Just bring your emotions, all of them! :)

4.15 - 4.45pm All the family Little Larkeys

Drawing

SUNdAY 21 JUNE 26

STORY cARt

Watch out for Eden the travelling storyteller and his Story Cart. Settle down for a tale, but what’s the story?

WiNdRUSH LETtERS

Go back in time and see what's inside the Travelling Windrush suitcase.

10.30-11.15 / 3.45-4.30

6+ years

Live & Kicking

Storytelling

10.30-11.00 / 2.00-3.00

All the family

BookLove

Creative Writing

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.

PEN g AN d s PANNERS

Meet author and illustrator Steve Webb at this lively, interactive event.

Steve discusses his graphic novel series, Peng and Spanners, with Secret Business, The Swamp Thing! Mr Big, Botty the statue-bot, Kirsty Claptrap, Cliff Hanger and the rest of the gang, from initial idea to finished book. Showing the writing, illustrating and design processes, highlighting the differences and challenges writing comic strips presents.

With lots of drawing, volunteer singers, prizes AND a Bingo finale!

10.40 - 11.40am

All the family

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

cLOU d LAND :

A Mus I c AL cUR i OS i TIES P RODU c T i ON

Join flautist Meera Maharaj and harpist Lucy Nolan as they embark upon a journey into the clouds!

Based on celebrated author and illustrator John Burningham’s muchloved book Cloudland, their production is a joyful celebration of music and theatre for children aged 3-7 and their grown-ups.

11.00 - 11.45am / 3.00 - 3.45pm

3 - 7 years

Little Larkeys

Musical Story

HAUNtED HOusE

Drop in and get creative designing your own mysterious haunted house and the characters who live inside. From spooky to silly, children can draw, imagine, and bring their ideas to life in this fun, relaxed session with Tasneem Kausar.

PAuLINE QUiRK AcADEMY

11.45 - 12.30pm 7+ years

Live and Kicking

Drama

11.00 - 12.00pm

5+ years

Doodle Room

Art

Jump into a Pauline Quirk Academy drama workshop, full of creativity, confidence and storytelling fun.

fLEUR HiTcHcOcK

Come and meet Fleur Hitchcock, the writer of adventure stories, cosy crime and thrillers for young people.

Find out why she writes books that keep you on the edge of your seat, and hear some of the stories, behind the stories.

12.00 - 12.45pm

7+ years

Let’s Write

Meet the author + book signing

MAR i ESA DULAK

Crocodiles, Ice Creams, Tigers and Trains!

Join Mariesa Dulak award-winning author of There’s a Tiger on the Train as she introduces her new book The Ice Cream Crocodile featuring Elvis the crocodile who longs to be a circus star.

There will be an interactive Storytime session, animal actions, singing, nursery rhymes, dancing and a bit of dress-up too.

12.00 - 1.00pm

3 - 6 years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

12.15 - 1.15pm

5+ years

Doodle Room Drawing

M AGNI fic EN t M YSTERY cHARA ct ERS

Mystery stories need a whole cast of quirky, intriguing, suspicious, and sometimes dastardly, characters. Who will feature in YOUR story?

Join award-winning children’s author, K.R. Thompson, for a fun character creation workshop, inspired by the fantasy characters in her interactive mystery adventure books, Werelock and ScratchMystery Most Puzzling and Werelock and Scratch - Robbery Most Puzzling.

Ease into the session with a drawalong of Scratch, Werelock’s sassy raven assistant, as brought to life in Binny Talib’s illustrations. Then, help K.R. Thompson create a brandnew mixed up mystery character, before breaking away to create your very own characters.

LITtLE MOVERs

Join Krishna for a fun dance and movement session

0-2 YR s

Little Larkeys

3-7 YR s 12.15 - 1.30pm 0 - 2 years

Little Larkeys

Dance

Dance 4.10 - 4.50pm 3 - 7 years

‘Start Somewhere... in Hull’ is a yearlong human rights and cultural training programme for young people aged 14-17 years, delivered by the Wollstonecraft Society.

The participants have designed three fantastic activities as part of the festival. We loved their ideas and think you’ll love them too!

Do you love to solve puzzles?

Have you ever tried to draw without looking?

Have you ever drawn a picture inspired by music?

Do you love optical illusions?

Would you like to design your own squishy?

Art With a Difference

• 12.30 – 2.30pm / Make It Take It

Design Your Own Optical Illusion Inspired Squishy

• 4.00 – 5.00pm / Doodle Room

Decode the Code

A puzzle trail on site / Ask at the Library Tent for more details.

INKBOUN d

Join Inkbound author Philippa Leathley and stretch your imaginations.

In this fun, interactive session we’ll learn about creating vibrant characters and dreaming up the most fantastical settings, from enchanted kingdoms, to magic schools to flying cities.

1.00 - 1.45pm

7+ years

Let’s Write

Meet the author + book signing

HiDdEN PLANET

Join award winning illustrator Ben Rothery for a drawing workshop with a difference.

Ben will show you how to make your animal drawings look more realistic and share his knowledge and passion for the natural world at the same time.

KEV f’s cOMic ARt MASTERcLAsS

1.30 - 2.30pm

All the family Big Top

Meet the author

Kev F Sutherland has written and drawn for Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics, and now makes graphic novels adapted from Shakespeare.

Come and learn everything he knows, so you could leave school and steal his job!

1.30 - 2.30pm 6+ years Doodle Room Drawing

BETSY BuGLOVE ANd THE LUcKY LAdYBIRds

Bug-lover Betsy is always keeping watch over her insect friends.

When a cold day forces the ladybirds inside, she uses her magic magnifying glass to listen to their problem!

Can Betsy and her best friend Stan find a way to help the ladybirds?

This interactive storytime with author Catherine Jacob will be lots of fun for little nature detectives.

1.45 - 2.30pm

0 - 6 years

Little Larkeys

Meet the author + book signing

SLugAGEdDON!

Slugageddon Slugs, slugs and more slugs!!

Can you help Benny defeat the slug army with a piano made of vegetables, some delicious compost and a final showdown with the boss?

Interactive & multimedia games, plenty of facts about biodiversity and of course, slugs. With some actually really great gardening tips for the grown ups…

1.45 - 2.45pm

All the family Live and Kicking Theatre

LucKY HOUsE dETEcTiVE AGENcY

A relic of a bygone era, Sir Kuss has failed to ‘get with the times’ and has been sent on permanent vacation by the Knightly Order.

Welcome to the Lucky House takeaway!

Felix and his best friend Isaac love mysteries and can’t wait to open their own detective agency! When they discover an ancient coin they just have to follow the clues to try to solve the mystery. Could there be secret treasure to find?

His over-laden Squire, struggling with swords, baggage and inflatables alike, reenacts tales of Sir Kuss’ exploits - from dragon slaying to feats of axe juggling. Sir Kuss, on the other hand, bravely fights the perils of sunburn, locked in an eternal battle with a deck chair.

Catch Tit4Tat Theatre’s new walkabout characters in an absurd piece of interactive theatre.

In this session author Scarlett Li (pen name for Lui Sit) will share the inspiration for writing - The Lucky House Detective Agency, including Chinese cultural practices, detective tips and introduce you to the world of Lucky House Takeaway!

12.30pm / 2.30pm (30 mins)

All the family

Malarkey park

Interactive theatre

2.00 - 2.45pm

6+ years

Let’s Write

Meet the author

M AN g A D E t E cti VES

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.

2.40 - 3.55pm

5+ years

Doodle Room

Drawing

c HR i S WH i TE

What do you get if you cross an author, an illustrator and a performance poet?

Chris White!

Expect a fusion of mini-rockconcert, mad-cap poetry and a 21st century-style draw-along in the Big Top!

Followed by a book signing.

2.45 - 3.45pm

All the family Big Top

Meet the author

A SLugAGEdDON WORKSHOP

3.00 - 3.30pm

All the family

Live and Kicking Theatre

Join the Blue Badge Bunch team for an interactive workshop.

Get up close with our gaming technology and give us your ideas for future games!

AMAZING MAZES

Join artist Jon Keen to create your own maze artwork. Take a paint brush and start your journey. Each of the creations will join together to form one big amazing maze!

3.00 - 5.00pm

All the family Make It, Take It Art

PAUL c OOK s ON

3.15 - 4.15pm

7+ years

Let’s Write

Poetry

ALl WEekENd WANDERING POET

If you see a wandering poet with a ukulele - stop him and ask for a poemhe can’t refuse! He has to read you a poem.

Want to write and perform a poem but don’t know where to start? Come along and poet Paul Cookson will show you how.

Guaranteed fun, guaranteed success.We’ll work together and see where the ideas take us but one thing’s for sure … we will write a brand new poem together!

M EMORA b UB b LE

Bubble tricks and audience interaction!

There’s no better way to finish the festival than with an extra special Memorabubble stage show!

4.00 - 5.00pm All the family Big Top Bubble Show

AcTiVITY DAYs fOR ScHOOLS 16-19 JUNE

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 114 workshops to 3200 Hull pupils from Nursery to KS3. For more information please contact hullschoolslibrary@hcandl.co.uk

tHANK YOu

Hope to see you next year! A big THANK YOU TO OuR fUNdERS & fRIENDS:

t HANKS TO OUR f E st IVAL s PONSORS : Pauline Quirke Academy for festival sponsorship. 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 sti VAL TEAM

Festival Producer

Claire Thompson

Event Site Manager

Joshua Bell

Technical Manager

Gavin Turner

Festival Support

Debra Webster, Matt Soare

Artist Liaison

Nick Quantrill, Debbie Agnew, Sarah Bingham

Staff and Volunteer Co-ordinators

Rachael Forrester, Sam Dobbs

Schools Week Co-ordinators

Amy Jeffrey, Kay Walton and Hull SLS

Design and Marketing

Lucy King