The Book Box Children’s Book Festival 2011

The Book Box bookshop in Clapton introduces its first Children’s Book Festival on Friday 4 March at 4.30pm. It will include readings, storytelling events and interactive and creative sessions.

Acclaimed author Alan Durant will be running a session, primarily aimed at boy readers (and reluctant boy readers). Alan will look at some popular themes for boys aged 9 and over such as sports and football.

On Saturday 5 March there will be a family event and finale to the festival, including a reading by Mo Heard from her new book Leo’s Heroes, in which many of the stories are set in and around East London. There will also be prize-giving for a children’s short story competition and celebrations for World Book Night including live music and food!  Children and parents of all ages are welcome.

Sunday 6 March sees a children’s storybook character inspired pottery painting workshop aimed at children aged 5 and over. Think, princesses, dragons, snails and tigers that like to come for tea! A £1 entrance fee and a small donation are requested.

To tie in with the festival, the Book Box is also running a short story writing competition for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Your story should be an urban fairytale or adventure set in Hackney, and should be no longer than two sides of A4 paper.

It could be about something that happened to you at home or in your local area; or it could be based on an imaginary scenario – the discovery of a secret garden or treasure excavated from your local park. Be inventive!

There will be two age categories with a winner and two runners-up per category. Enter either category 1 for ages 6-8 years old or Category 2 for 9-12 year olds.

All entries must be handed in to The Book Box by 26 February.

There will be a prize-giving event for the competition at the festival finale and the celebration of World Book Night on the evening of Saturday 5 March.

Author Mo Heard will help to award prizes to the winners of the competition.
The whole family are welcome to stay for some live music, food and drink!

For more information about the festival contact:

The Book Box & Studio 53
53 Chatsworth Road
London E5 0LH
020 8525 5664