Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<p><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk">Stratford Literary Festival</a> is back in town from <strong>27 to 29 Oct</strong> and there’s heaps of big names and awesome activities lined up. Think best-selling children’s authors and crafty events, and for you a programme positively brimming with well-known actors, directors, writers and comedians. So, here’s what to get in the diary for the kids, and some top picks for you too. You&#8217;re welcome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/the-gruffalo-the-giant-and-the-mermaid-12">The Gruffalo, The Giant &amp; The Mermaid</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-572.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54721" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-572.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-572-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-572-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-572-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s no way you and the kids haven&#8217;t heard of The Gruffalo, and I&#8217;m guessing you probably love it too. So you&#8217;re going to want to bag your tickets for this one at Stratford Play House quick as they&#8217;ll go fast. Best-selling author Julia Donaldson is back on stage following a sell-out tour in 2018, with a brand new show based on her books including <em>The Singing Mermaid</em> and <em>The Gruffalo</em>. Expect an hour-long performance packed with singing and poetry, followed by a book signing. There&#8217;s showings at <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/the-gruffalo-the-giant-and-the-mermaid-12">midday</a> and <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/the-gruffalo-the-giant-and-the-mermaid-3-30">3.30pm</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/sir-michael-morpurgo">Sir Michael Morpurgo</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-558.jpg" alt="Sir Michael Morpurgo Stratford Literary Festival" class="wp-image-54719" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-558.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-558-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-558-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-558-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The creator of <em>War Horse</em> and <em>Private Peaceful</em> will be talking to Fiona Lindsay at Holy Trinity Church on <strong>20 Oct</strong>. At the talk, which is suitable for those aged 8 and up, he&#8217;ll be spilling the tea about bringing his storytelling touch to the Bard and creating retellings of some of his best-known plays like <em>Macbeth</em>, <em>Hamlet</em> and <em>A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</em> in his collection <em>Tales of Shakespeare</em>. It&#8217;s an easy intro to Stratford&#8217;s famous playwright especially for children and young people, with illustrations too. It finishes at 7pm too, so why not make a family night of it and head out for dinner afterwards?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/spooky-halloween-afternoon-activities">Spooky Halloween Activities</a> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-551.jpg" alt="halloween child holding pumpkin in field glitter " class="wp-image-54717" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-551.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-551-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-551-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-551-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s one to get them (and you) in the mood for trick and treating. On <strong>Oct 28</strong> crack out the spooky fancy dress and settle down for some scary storytelling about things that go bump in the night. There&#8217;s face painting and &#8216;monstrous&#8217; puppet making too, and before you take your little witches and wizards home they can have a picture taken on a broomstick. It&#8217;s suitable for children aged 6 and up, but kids must be supervised by an adult &#8211; better get dusting off that vampire costume then. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matt-lucas"><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/schools-event-matt-lucas">Matt Lucas</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-552.jpg" alt="Matt Lucas Stratford Literary Festival " class="wp-image-54718" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-552.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-552-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-552-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-552-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ok so this one is for schools (and kids who are home-schooled) &#8211;  <em>GBBO</em> and <em>Little Britain </em>star Matt Lucas is presenting his first children&#8217;s book <em>The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas</em> at the Crowne Plaza on <strong>27 Oct</strong>. It&#8217;s a musical novel with original songs, and if your kids want to go along make sure they let their teachers know, stat so they can get get booking. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/petr-horáček-and-nicola-davies">The Star Whale</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-570.jpg" alt="The Star Whale cover Stratford Literary Festival" class="wp-image-54720" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-570.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-570-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-570-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-570-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s one for little culture vultures &#8211; illustrator Petr Horáček and poet, zoologist and children&#8217;s tv presenter Nicola Davies will be teaming up for a session of verse and live drawing on <strong>29 Oct</strong>. Together they created <em>The Star Whale</em> which is brimming with beautiful poems about the planet, and this event for ages 7 and up promises to be educational and fun. The dream combination, no?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">And for mum and dad&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54725" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-573.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-573-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-573-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/08/Untitled-design-573-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t worry it&#8217;s not just about the kids! There&#8217;s a line-up groaning with stars and everything from crafty activities to talks. We can&#8217;t wait to catch newsreader and war reporter <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/clive-myrie">Clive Myrie</a> in conversation about his life, or fellow presenter <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/clare-balding">Claire Balding</a> talking about one of our favourite topics &#8211; dogs. There&#8217;s legendary opera, stage and film director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/sir-richard-eyre">Sir Richard Eyre</a> talking about his life working in the arts, and veteran actor <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/timothy-west-cbe">Timothy West</a>.</p>



<p>If getting hands on is more your thing then <em>The Sky at Night</em>&nbsp;presenter and astronomer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/maggie-aderin-pocock">Maggie Aderin-Pocock</a>&nbsp;will teach the art of stargazing, or book onto a <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/jill-dawson">writing workshop</a>, <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/francesca-stone">learn how to make a Christmas garland</a> or head to a <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/cheese-tasting-with-marcus-brigstocke">cheese tasting</a> with Cotswold Cheese Company and Marcus Brigstocke.</p>



<p><strong>To book tickets and for the full line up <a href="https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events">click here</a>. </strong></p>


Children’s events to book now at Stratford Literary Festival

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