Humdinger! Children's Story Festival 2015

Welcome to Humdinger! 2015 We’re thrilled to bring you the hugely popular Humdinger! Children’s Story Festival for a third successive year. Our 2015 programme is packed with imaginative and inspiring authors and illustrators delivering fun events for the whole family to enjoy.

This year we’re delighted to welcome the following guests to the city: David O’Doherty, Chris Judge, Nick Sharratt, Guy Bass, Alastair Watson with the Wimpy Kid Show, and Clive McFarland.

Humdinger! 2015 takes place from 23rd – 28th March with an action-packed week of outreach activities in schools, libraries and community settings culminating in the gorgeous Guildhall on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March. Friday’s activities are dedicated to school groups and on Saturday, families can enjoy workshops, readings, screenings and performances from 10:45am – 5pm. Everyone’s welcome, please come along.

As well as providing fun and entertainment, the Humdinger! Children’s Story Festival has a very important role to play in helping to foster a love of reading in children and young people.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, recently stated that: “Literacy is a human right and a fundamental element for all societies.

It is the key-stone of gender equality, poverty reduction and job creation.” With this in mind, we take our role as a developer of literacy skills among children and young people very

seriously. That’s why we’re committed to giving them the chance to meet their favourite authors and illustrators, to get their books signed, to take part in workshops and to learn new skills.

We are very grateful to all the individuals, organisations, funding bodies and businesses who have joined forces with us to help deliver Humdinger! 2015. Our heartfelt thanks go to: Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Booktrust, Children’s Books Ireland, Derry City Council Legacy Programme, Derry Print Workshop, Eason, FabLab, Foyle Film Festival, Libraries NI, Nerve Centre, NI Screen, Starbucks, Save the Children, Visit Derry, Void and Whittrick Press.

Many thanks to all our volunteers, especially the team from Thornhill College, who give their time so freely and graciously to help make Humdinger! such a joyous experience for everyone involved, audience and guests alike.

Special thanks to Chantal Sweeney and the Puffin Rock crew.

So, are you ready to have some fun, to fall in love with reading and be inspired to create your own stories? Good! So are we! Book your tickets now at cheersdogears.com

Claire McDermott Festival Director

Opposite page: Humdinger! Editions piece by Donal Mangan

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In a nutshell...

Humdinger!

SATURDAY 28th MARCH

MONDAY 23rd MARCH 10:00am 4:00pm

FABLAB WORKSHOP LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL KS2 HUMDINGER! FILM CLUB: LADY & THE TRAMP THE NERVE CENTRE

TUESDAY 24th MARCH 10:00am 10:30am 1:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm

GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT LIBRARIES NI, RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION LAUNCH OF, ‘THE CRUMBLEGIANT’ GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT HUMDINGER! FILM CLUB: CHICKEN LITTLE

WEDNESDAY 25th MARCH 10:00am 10:00am 10:30am 2:00pm 4:00pm

GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT FABLAB WORKSHOP LIBRARIES NI, RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT HUMDINGER! FILM CLUB, E.T.

THURSDAY 26th MARCH 10:00am 11:00am 2:00pm 4:00pm

GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT LIBRARIES NI, RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION GUY BASS, SCHOOL VISIT MAKE YOUR OWN E-BOOK!

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10:30am 10:45am 11:00am 12:00noon 12:00noon 12:00noon 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm

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LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL SHANTALLOW LIBRARY THE NERVE CENTRE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL THE NERVE CENTRE

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LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL CENTRAL LIBRARY LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL THE NERVE CENTRE

SUPER STORIES AT SURESTART NICK SHARRATT - YOU CHOOSE CLIVE MCFARLAND, WORKSHOP LIBRARIES NI, RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION LIBRARIES NI, RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION ANIMATION! THE WIMPY KID SHOW FLIPBOOK WORKSHOP VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP

STORYTELLING SESSION CHRIS JUDGE, ROBOTS WORKSHOP LIBRARIES NI RHYTHM AND RHYME SESSION NICK SHARRATT, FAMILY DRAW-ALONG JUMPING CLAY WORKSHOP BOOK CLINIC: CHILDREN’S BOOKS IRELAND DERRY PRINT WORKSHOP - T SHIRT PRINTING JUMPING CLAY WORKSHOP DAVID O’DOHERTY AND CHRIS JUDGE JUMPING CLAY WORKSHOP PUFFIN ROCK SCREENING

Humdinger!

Housekeeping

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LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL STRATHFOYLE LIBRARY LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL CENTRAL LIBRARY

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SURESTART LIBRARY, HAZELBANK MAIN HALL, THE GUILDHALL WHITTAKER SUITE, THE GUILDHALL CENTRAL LIBRARY WATERSIDE LIBRARY MAIN HALL THE GUILDHALL MAIN HALL, THE GUILDHALL WHITTAKER SUITE, THE GUILDHALL VOID GALLERY

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STARBUCKS, FOYLESIDE GREEN ROOM, THE GUILDHALL STRATHFOYLE LIBRARY MAIN HALL, THE GUILDHALL GREEN ROOM, THE GUILDHALL WHITTAKER SUITE, THE GUILDHALL GREEN ROOM, THE GUILDHALL GREEN ROOM, THE GUILDHALL MAIN HALL, THE GUILDHALL GREEN ROOM, THE GUILDHALL MAIN HALL, THE GUILDHALL

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INGER

HUMD admit one

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FRIDAY 27th MARCH 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:30am 10:30am 11:30am 1:15pm 1:15pm 4:30pm

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All events marked with an are free events for school groups. To book school events please contact Claire on (028) 71 308640. Places are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Our Humdinger! Venue The main venue for this year’s events is the Guildhall, right beside the Peace Bridge in Derry City centre. Recently restored, and absolutely beautiful, the Guildhall is fully accessible, with a large lift to all levels of Humdinger!

The 5 events below are ticket only. To book, go to cheersdogears.com Friday 11:30am - ANIMATION! Saturday 10:45am - Chris Judge Workshop Saturday 12pm - Nick Sharratt Draw-along Saturday 2pm - David O’Doherty + Chris Judge Saturday 4pm - Puffin Rock Screening

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crumblegiant launch

The Nerve Centre + Humdinger!

Fablab

When? Tuesday 24th March Where? Nerve Centre Time: 1pm Price: FREE

When? Monday 23rd March and Wednesday 25th Where? In schools Booking: Call Claire on (028) 71 308640 Price: FREE Age range: KS2

‘Every day the Crows would attack and scrawk. But that was OK because every day the Crumblegiant would appear and swish them all away into the white clouds… Then one day the giant never turned up…’

In this fun-filled session, the creative facilitators from the Nerve Centre’s FabLab will help you create your very own 3D story-based memento of the Humdinger! Children’s Story Festival in the comfort of your own classroom.

Follow Emily on her journey through a beautiful landscape of sheep and stars and fantastical imaginings in a gentle, thoughtprovoking exploration of grief and loss.

HUMDINGER! FILM CLUB Dog Ears and the Nerve Centre join forces to offer a fun film element to Humdinger! for the whole family to enjoy. Come along and watch some of our all-time favourite stories for children that have been made for the big screen over the years. All films are being shown in the Nerve Centre cinema at 4pm and admission is FREE and no booking necessary!

John McCloskey is an awardwinning illustrator and animator.

The Crumblegiant began life as an animated film, which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2009, and has now been turned into an amazing limited edition book and iBook by Whittrick Press and Raw Nerve Productions.

The iBook has a unique scrolling narrative and is narrated by well-known actor Bernard Hill, star of Lord of the Rings, Titanic and, most recently, Wolf Hall.

The launch will include a screening of the original animation, a Q&A with the author, refreshments, and the opportunity to get hands-on with the iBook.

LADY AND THE TRAMP

CHICKEN LITTLE

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

Monday 23rd March, 4pm

Tuesday 24th March, 4pm

Wednesday 25th March, 4pm

www.whittrickpress.com

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RHYTHM AND RHYME

present...

Guy Bass

Libraries NI host Rhythm and Rhyme morning sessions designed for babies and toddlers across the city. A library staff member leads the session and parents, carers and children are invited to participate at whatever level feels fun for them. Come along, enjoy the fun, company and a cuppa. Dates and times for Rhythm and Rhyme sessions are as follows:

From Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th March, Blue Peter Award-winning Guy Bass is out and about in local primary schools, talking about The Mighty Frog, the third title in his series, The Legend of Frog. A mash-up of fairy tale, fantasy and science fiction with a heavy helping of humour, both The Mighty Frog and Guy’s event are guaranteed to have everyone involved howling with laughter.

Free Events. All Welcome. Age 0-4 babies and toddlers

Guy Bass is an award-winning children’s book author and semi-professional geek.

His book series include Stitch Head, The Legend of Frog, Dinkin Dings, Atomic! and Monster Madness / Monster Mayhem. First published in 2008, Guy’s books have since been translated into more than ten languages.

make your own e-book!

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a digital author?

Well, now’s your chance to find out! Create your very own themed e-book on the iPad in this one-hour workshop. Booking is essential - contact (028) 7122 9990 or derrycentral.library@ libraries.org.uk

When? Thursday 26th March Where? Central Library Booking: (028) 71 229990 or derrycentral.library@libraries.org.uk Price: Free Age range: 11-15

24th March

10:30am – 11:30am Shantallow Library

25th March

10:30am – 11:30am Central Library

26th March

11am – 12pm

27th March

10:30am – 11:30am Waterside Library

27th March

10:30am – 11:30am Central Library

28th March

11am – 12pm

Strathfoyle Library

Strathfoyle Library

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Thank goodness it’s Friday 27th march!

Friday events are mainly free and for schools. Schools must book in advance by contacting (028) 7130 8640 or claire@cheersdogears.com Bookings will be made on a first-come, firstserved basis!

A ‘Read On. Get On.’ event sponsored by Save the Children

Nick Sharratt - You choose When? Friday 27th March, 10am – 11am Where? Main Hall, Guildhall Booking: Call Claire on 02871 308640 Price: FREE Age range: 5+ Author and illustrator Nick Sharratt has been drawing for as long as he can remember. He has illustrated over 250 books and is best known for his collaborations with Jacqueline Wilson, especially Tracy Beaker.

Booktrust and Surestart present…

Super stories for super heroes!

This event is part of the official launch of Surestart’s new extension and community library at Ringfort Road, Hazelbank.

Every parent is a hero to their children, but even heroes need a helping hand to hone their skills. That’s why Booktrust is calling for all parents to don their superhero masks, reveal their secret powers and read stories with their children. Join Booktrust for rhymes and storytelling which encourage children and their parents and carers to enjoy songs, rhymes, rhythm and movement together, along with superherothemed craft activities.

Costumes encouraged!

When? Friday 27th March, 10-11am Where? Ringfort Road Surestart, Hazelbank Price: FREE Age range: Family event, All ages

In this action-packed interactive event, Nick creates a story live on stage using his You Choose book as a starting point.

What happens in the story is entirely up to the children in the audience as their choices dictate what Nick draws next. This very special event is kindly sponsored by Save the Children as part of their ‘Read On. Get On.’ campaign to get every child reading well by age eleven.

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Clive McFarland When? Friday 27th March, 10am-11am Where? Whittaker Suite, Guildhall Booking: Call Claire on (028) 71 308640 Price: FREE Age range: P4 Classes Join Clive McFarland for an interactive workshop inspired by his debut picture book, A Bed for Bear. Learn how to make paper cut-out illustrations and use them to tell your very own story.

Clive McFarland is an illustrator from Northern Ireland. A Bed for Bear is out now, published by HarperCollins. For more information about Clive, have a look at clivemcfarland.com

Dog Ears and Northern Ireland Screen present

A N I M A T I O N!

When? Friday 27th March, 11:30am - 12:30pm Where? Main Hall, Guildhall Booking: cheersdogears.com Price: Free Age range: 16+ Are you interested in a career in animation and finding out more about the animation industry in Northern Ireland? Using Puffin Rock as a case study, the Dog Ears animation team will talk about the development and production process from character development to scripting, storyboards to animation, music and voice casting - and give an insight into the skills required to work in animation.

When? Friday 27th March, 1:15pm – 2:15pm Where? Main Hall, Guildhall Booking: Call Claire on (028) 71 308640 Price: Free Age Range: 8+ Host Alastair Watson brings the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books to life with fun activities including The Wimpy Kid Draw-Along and The Wimp Wars! Quiz. The event also includes exclusive clips of author Jeff Kinney talking about the books, discussing his involvement in the films and showing how he draws the characters.

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FLIP-BOOK WORKSHOP WITH PUFFIN ROCK ANIMATORS

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP AT VOID GALLERY When? Friday 27th March, 4:30pm - 6:30pm Where? Void / City Factory Gallery, Patrick Street Booking: Email sally@derryvoid.com (booking is essential) Price: Free Age range: 5-12 The Humdinger! Festival is delighted to be working with Void to present a fantastical artist-led workshop as part of their current exhibition, Horse. Taking place in the Process Room, an open-style studio within the exhibition space for families to visit at any time, this session uses the film ‘Into The West’ to inspire you to create beautiful art to take home. For further information and booking contact sally@derryvoid.com

Dog Ears is pleased to present an introduction to animation workshop as part of Humdinger! 2015. Join the animators from kids’ TV series, Puffin Rock (currently being broadcast on RTÉ Jr), as they share their expertise. Using the principles of animation, they show you how to create your very own work in flip-book animation format. This is an exciting opportunity for participants to learn from the animation industry’s top talent.

When? 27th March, 1:15pm - 2:15pm Where? Whittaker Suite, Guildhall Booking: Call Claire on (028)71308640 Price: Free Age range: P6/P7

Dog Ears Void We’re delighted to announce a new partnership with our friends at Void, one of the coolest places around. In the Process Room there is now a Dog Ears corner where kids can go to read, colour in, make things and be creative.

Keep an eye out for future Dog Ears / Void adventures...

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IT’S A SATURDAY, Hooray! The 28th March to be exact.

CHRIS JUDGE ROBOTS WORKSHOP When? Saturday 28th March, 10:45am – 11:45am Where? Green Room, Guildhall Booking: cheersdogears.com Price: £2.50 Age range: 6 – 8 Meet award-winning illustrator Chris Judge as he talks about the characters in his latest picture book, Tin. This fun-filled event is packed with storytelling and live drawing, and participants can even learn how to create their very own robot character. Following the event, Chris will do a book signing at the Eason bookshop in the upstairs Foyer area of the Guildhall.

Learn to draw characters from a much-loved master...

Nick sharratt When? Saturday 28th March, 12pm – 1pm Where? Main Hall, Guildhall Booking: cheersdogears.com Price: £3.50 Age range: Family Event, 5+ In this family-friendly event, much-loved author and illustrator Nick Sharratt demonstrates how he creates his characters and shares his special drawing tips. Everyone in the audience can have a go at drawing Tracy Beaker and lots of Nick’s other great characters!

Following the event, Nick will do a book signing at the Eason bookshop in the upstairs Foyer area of the Guildhall.

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lovely little details...

Jumping clay workshops customise your pencil!

When? Saturday 28th March, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm Where? Green Room, Guildhall Booking? Arrive early to get a place - limited to 20 Price: FREE Age range: 5+ During this creative one-hour session with Claire Heaney-McKee, participants get the chance to plan and design their own pencil-top character and then make it out of jumping clay. Let your imagination run wild!

STORIES AT STARBUCKS’ HOT CHOCOLATE STOP Starbucks Foyleside invites all you beautiful little bookworms to our store for a fun storytelling session on Saturday 28th March at 10:30am. Come and enjoy Maggie Many Cats and the Cat That Flew in the Window by Grace Jolliffe, read to you by the very talented Heather Orr. All kids who attend can enjoy a free drink at the Hot Chocolate Stop in-store, so if you’re aged between 5-9 and you love reading and chocolate, we would love to see you!

EASON BOOKSHOP Eason is delighted to be the official bookseller at the Humdinger!

Children’s Story Festival 2015. Come and say hello, browse our selection and treat yourself to a new hardback or paperback – we’re in the Foyer outside the Main Hall in the Guildhall on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March.

Children’s Books Ireland presents...

THE BOOK CLINIC

When? Saturday 28th March, 12pm - 4pm Where? Whittaker Suite, Guildhall Price: FREE Age range: Family Event, all ages Are you a young reader looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Do you need a prescription for an exciting new read? Then pop along to the Book Clinic! Parents and children are invited to drop in for an informal consultation with one of Children’s Books Ireland’s friendly panel of Book Doctors, who are ready to offer the best advice for the young readers in your family. There’s also impromptu readings, games, plus plenty of arts and crafts along the way. Booking is not required.

Derry Print Workshop presents...

T-SHIRT PRINTING FACTORY! When? Saturday 28th March, 1pm - 4pm Where? Green Room, Guildhall Price: FREE Age range: 3+ Children of all ages are sure to enjoy this opportunity to create their very own, Humdinger!

T-shirt, a lovely keepsake of the festival. Artists from the Derry Print Workshop are on hand to demonstrate the printing techniques before letting you loose on the printer yourself to produce your own T-shirt. NOTE! Kids, bring your own T-shirt so they are a perfect fit, we won’t have any (ours would be too big...)

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DANGER IS EVERYWHERE

WITH DAVID O’DOHERTY AND CHRIS JUDGE

Do you enjoy enjoyment? Do you find danger dangerous?

Come join award-winning comedian David O’Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge for a hilarious lesson in Dangerology. Inspired by the notebooks of the enigmatic and ultra-cautious Dangerologist, Docter Noel Zone, David and Chris will prepare you for many of life’s dangers through Docter Noel Zone’s unique BSTs (Basic Safety Tips) and many useful acronyms. Come and discover what to do if a shark comes out of the loo or a volcano erupts underneath your house. Perfect for worriers young and old.

When? Saturday 28th March, 2pm– 3pm Where? Main Hall, Guildhall Booking: cheersdogears.com Price: £3.50 Age range: Family Event, 7+

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Puffin rock screening When? Saturday 28th March, 4pm Where? Main Hall Guildhall Booking: cheersdogears.com Price: Free Age range: Family event, all ages

Come and enjoy a special screening of episodes of Puffin Rock, in the opulent surroundings of the Guildhall. Meet the cast, see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, enjoy some goodies and help us bring Humdinger!

2015 to a close...

Humdinger! editions When? 23rd - 28th March Where? Foyer, Guildhall Price: Free Dog Ears is excited to present the inaugural Humdinger! Editions Exhibition as part of the Humdinger! Children’s Story Festival 2015. Showcasing the work of ten emerging new talents who are living and working in Ireland, the beauty of this exhibition is guaranteed to inspire and awe. Buy limited-edition prints of the works on display exclusively from Derry Print Studios and find out more at cheersdogears.com

First Words When? 27th - 28th March Where? Foyer, Guildhall Price: Free Everyone had a book or story they loved to hear as children. First Words is a look at how people remember these stories, recording people’s experience of stories and books as children, and how these formative experiences have stayed with them. This series of short documentaries is a little tribute to the importance of books and stories in childhood. Watch out for some familiar faces!

We thank you...