Twenty eight individual events including 2 creative writing workshops will take place within the week in a programme that covers events suitable for all age groups. As well as listening to the authors talking about their books, children and students also have the chance to buy a signed copy of the book. The line-up of authors, poets and illustrators includes Jeanne Willis, Michelle Robinson, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Chae Strathie, James Carter, Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Sophia Bennett & Manjit Thrapp, Steven Camden, Tom Percival, Laura James, Nicola Davies, Jo Cotterill and David Solomons.

Annie Ashworth, Festival Director said ‘We are delighted that so many schools are participating in our Festival Schools Week, which is a great opportunity for children and students to listen to and meet a host of award-winning authors and poets.  Our authors really inspire children and bring their stories to life, which is so important for children’s creative development”.

Sam Bes-Jeary, English Subject Leader from Bridgetown School, said “Nothing brings the process of writing alive more than meeting an author. The children see how passion, discipline and perseverance come together to create something magical. It ignites interest and enthusiasm in reading and is something our children are likely to remember long after leaving school”.

The weeks’ events includes three Bedtime Story Parties, at Alveston, Bridgetown and Stratford Primary Schools, at which children and parents, dressed for bed, will share the stories they have written together with a visiting author. ‘These parties are great fun,’ says Annie Ashworth, ‘And hopefully encourage parents to read with their children at bedtime, an important tradition which is tragically becoming less and less common.’

For full details of public events for children during the Festival from 28 April to 5 May, visit stratlitfest.co.uk