Get inspired at Newark Book Festival – there is something for readers of all ages to get involved in at this year’s festival.
This July, Newark Book Festival is once again set to captivate young readers with a whole host of family-friendly fun. Alongside another year of high-quality adults’ events, the programme includes some amazing children’s panel talks as well as a whole host of writing and craft workshops, storytellers and Street Theatre.
Between July 12th and 14th, this year’s theme of Home and Away will be brought to life with tales from Newark and beyond, circus and carnival themed entertainment at Newark Castle with seaside fun, Paddington Bear crafts, and the Greatest Show in the centre of Newark to launch the festival.
With a wide selection of both ticketed and free events, there is something for everyone to see and do.
The quality of Children’s authors taking part in the festival this year, is especially high. This Includes a YA Fiction for schools’ panel event, featuring award-winning and bestselling authors, Kim Slater, Sara Barnard and Paula Rawsthorne.
On Sunday 14th July, there is also a chance to meet the authors of some of this year’s biggest new 9-12 fiction titles in the Magic, A Malamander and Mystery event. Thomas Taylor, illustrator of the first ever cover for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, talks about his stunning new novel Malamander. He is joined by Michelle Harrison, author of beautiful new spell-binding story, A Pinch of Magic, and Newark Book Festival favourite, Elly Griffiths, who has released her first children’s book, A Girl Called Justice.
Elsewhere, there is lots of interactive fun happening across the Festival weekend to get young readers and artists inspired. From a promenade theatre performance of Robin Hood and the Monk and Fairy Tales for under- fives at St Mary Magdalene Church, to poetry workshops with Troy Jenkinson, Chitra Soundar and celebrity children’s author, potty poet and illustrator, Chris White, plus many more.
At Newark Library, the festival will be helping to launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge with the creators of Super Kitty, where there will also be the chance to meet Maisy Mouse and peruse the Festival’s Helen Cresswell Exhibition.
The market place and town hall will be alive with activity all weekend, with Street Theatre performances from Adambara and Zhim, Frroojamaflip and Fred, and Angie Mack Hula Street Show. On the Newark Book Festival market stall, visitors will be able to find information about events and pick up for free this year’s special festival postcard produced by illustrator, Mark Chambers.
In 2019, Newark Book Festival is also introducing its first ever Primary School programme, matching authors; Gareth Baker, Chris White, James Nicol, Ian Douglas, Wilf Morgan, Daniel Henshaw, Frances Stickley and Thomas Taylor, with schools across Newark for a day of writing and art workshops, readings and inspiring a love of books and reading.
The full programme of events can be found at www.newarkbookfestival.org.uk or in the festival brochure which can be collected from venues across Newark and beyond including the theatre, festival venues, coffee shops, libraries and key attractions. Most tickets can be purchased from Newark Palace Theatre on 01636 655755 or www.palacenewarktickets.com.
You can also stay up to date with the latest festival news by following Newark Book Festival on Facebook (www.facebook.com/newarkbookfest/) on Twitter (@NewarkBookFest ) and Instagram (@NewarkBookFest).