Bournville BookFest (Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March 2016) is back and it’s bigger than ever.
Organised by the Busy Parents Network, which holds festivals throughout the year for families to enjoy together, the Festival started with 12 events in 2014 and has grown quickly to become a firm fixture in Birmingham’s cultural calendar.
Bournville BookFest 2016 is supported by Arts Council England, the Big Lottery, Library of Birmingham Trust and Bournville Village Trust.
Last year saw families travelling to Birmingham from Bristol, Manchester and Shropshire to attend.
This year the Festival will include:
- More than 80 events will take place in 13 different venues across the city, from Bournville to Library of Birmingham, Longbridge, Yardley Wood and Shard End.
- Authors, poets, illustrators, storytellers, actors, journalists, cartoonists, historians, dancers and performers will be inspiring youngsters to read, write and get passionate about stories.
- Featuring bestselling authors, including pre-schooler favourites Nick Sharratt (Shark in the Park), Jeremy Strong (My Brother’s Famous Bottom) and Korky Paul (Winnie the Witch).
- New for 2016: events for teenagers and young adults. Psychological crime-writer Sophie Hannah (The Monogram Murders) will be sharing her secrets for successful plotting, and you can learn to write TV scripts from one of the masterminds behind the original Dr Who series.
- New for 2016. Brilliantly-imaginative FREE events for children with special needs. Storytime with Guinea Pigs, going on a picnic with Peter’s Trains and telling tales with Star Wars Lego – all taking place at Selly Oak Trust School – promises a day of discovery and delight for everyone.
- Bournville BookFest 2016 is Birmingham’s only children’s book festival, celebrating the fun of storytelling with everyone from babies to young adults.
Sarah Mullen, Festival director and founder, said: “Bournville BookFest 2016 is going to be full of fresh ideas, laughter, music, and fun. We have something for everyone, from musical story sing-alongs for babies to Gangsta Granny drama workshops and poetry rap for older children.
“Many of our events are entirely free and we’ve taken the Festival to new areas of the city so as many families as possible can join in the fun.
“We hope people will enjoy the thrill of meeting their favourite children’s authors and be inspired to have a go at writing themselves.
“Bournville BookFest 2016 is a wonderful chance to get excited about storytelling in every form.”
Tickets for the Festival are on sale at: www.bournvillebookfest.com
If you would like to know more, please contact the Busy Parents Network at Bournville Community Hub on 0121 4727989.