Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival has announced its stellar 2021 programme as the event grows into a two-day extravaganza of reading, writing and storytelling.
The line-up for a virtual festival celebrating children’s literature this May has been announced by Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival. Big names and local talent from the worlds of children’s fiction, non-fiction, illustration and storytelling are set to take part in exciting events across the 15th and 16th of May 2021.
“We’re so excited to launch this year’s festival, our biggest yet!” said Cerith Mathias, director of Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival. “We have created a weekend of events that we hope young readers and their families will find inspiring and entertaining, that celebrate Wales’ incredible storytellers as well as bringing in fantastic children’s authors from across the UK.”
This year’s event will be the first to take place over two days, with a jam-packed programme of events filled with fun for all the family. The line-up includes best-selling author and comedian David Baddiel, who will be talking about his latest book Future Friend with BBC Wales and CBBC presenter Alex Humphreys. Popular writer and illustrator Kate Pankhurst, a descendant of Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst will inspire young minds with her new book Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories. Matt Brown and Hanan Issa, two of the authors behind The Mab, will be introducing readers to a brand-new retelling of ancient Welsh tales from The Mabinogion, whose foreword is penned by actor Michael Sheen.
Wales’ Children’s Laureate, Eloise Williams, has taken part in the festival since its launch and will be leading a writing workshop for budding young authors. “I love Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival and am delighted to be involved again this year. It’s such a brilliant opportunity to highlight the importance of children’s literature and reading for pleasure,” said Williams.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be exciting author events, a drawing workshop with children’s illustrator Rebecca Harry, interactive storytelling sessions and much more. Little bookworms can sign up for events now, with the festival operating a ‘pay what you want’ ticketing policy.
“We’re passionate about Pontypridd and our community and want to put a smile back on the faces of our youngest readers after a difficult 18 months. With the festival now a weekend-long event, we hope to grow the event year on year to bring the best in children’s literature to the area and draw in readers from all over the UK,” said Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival co-founder, Jeff Baxter.
The festival is supported by Pontypridd Books, Pontypridd Town Council, The Co-Op, Cardiff Book Festival, Monumental Welsh Women and Safer Wales Feminist Library.
Tickets for Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival 2021 are available on the festival’s website, and a festival bookshop is being run by partner organisation and local independent bookshop Pontypridd Books.
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Twitter: @pontykidsbooks #PontyKidsBookFest
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