Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

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Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell is just one of the leading names in the 14th annual Stratford Literary Festival’s programme of events for young people this year on Sun May 16. The creator of worldwide success, How to Train Your Dragon, will be discussing the conclusion to her best-selling series, The Wizards of Once, in a live online event on Sunday May 16.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1001" height="667" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44419" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2.jpg 1001w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/05/DB-Childrens-Laureate-Low-08-1-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /><figcaption> Cressida Cowell </figcaption></figure>



In fact the whole day will be entirely devoted to children’s events with big names and top entertainment for all ages. The nation’s storyteller and award-winning author of War Horse and Private Peaceful, Sir Michael Morpurgo, will be sharing insights into two of his latest books for both young and older readers: The Birthday Duck and A Song of Gladness. 



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Bestselling author and illustrator of the much-loved Tom Gates series, Liz Pichon, will be talking about Ten Tremendous Tales celebrating 10 years since Tom Gate became the nation’s favourite.



Other highlights include an introduction to the new Ballet Bunnies series from Swapna Reddy, a crash course in How to be Cooler than Cool with Sean Taylor, and some lessons in confidence and being yourself from Michelle Robinson &amp; Tom Knight as they discuss their latest book, When Jelly Had a Wobble.



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Online Live quiz with author Christopher Lloyd, Sat May 15



For young quiz-nuts, author Christopher Lloyd will be running an interactive Family Quiz live online that everyone can get involved with &#8211; and the chance to win a signed copy of his latest book The Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopaedia.



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Although much of the Festival will take place online this year, several in-person workshops will be running for young people under Covid-compliant conditions. 



Drama workshops, Sun May 16



Warwick-based Playbox Theatre will be running two workshops at Stratford Primary School focusing on story-telling through drama for ages 8-11 and 12+. 



 Aardman modellers return to Stratford, Sat May 22 



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Stratford Primary School will also be hosting hands-on craft events with the brilliant Aardman modellers, returning to Stratford showing children of all ages how to create much loved characters Shaun the Sheep, Feathers McGraw and Morph.



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Festival Director Annie Ashworth on this year&#8217;s spring line-up: 



&#8220;We are so pleased to be offering such a stellar line-up of writers for young people. Books have been a lifeline over the last 12 months and it’s brilliant to be able to put on events to engage kids in all the fun and drama books have to offer. I’m especially excited Aardman are back with us and live – it’s always a very popular event!&#8221;



Tickets start at just £6 from <a href="http://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk">stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk</a>. Events for all ages run from May 8 and are viewable until May 22. A season pass for adult events costs £30 to view over 30 events.

Stratford Lit Fest 2021: children’s day events

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