THE 2012 Manchester Children's Book Festival is again held this summer, from 28 June-8 July. It is eleven days of events and activities for children, families and others with a love for children books.
The Festival is presented by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The 2012 Festival is even bigger and better, truly a festival for the city.We’re working in partnership with many of Manchester’s major cultural and educational organisations to offer an exciting programme of events and activities
There are 75 events taking place at 18 venues across the city during the Festival, including Cathy Cassidy with mocktails in the clouds on the 23 floor of the Hilton Hotel, Art Hunt at Manchester Art Gallery with Michael Rosen and a Strictly Come Dining Gala dinner with Carol Ann and Tony Warren, creator of Coronation Street.
Carol Ann Duffy is the Festival Creative Director and she's excited about this year's programme: "We staged a four day pilot in 2010, and I was delighted with the response. The 2012 Festival is even bigger and better, truly a festival for the city. We’re working in partnership with many of Manchester’s major cultural and educational organisations to offer an exciting programme of events and activities, here at the MMU and in schools, libraries, theatres, museums and galleries across the region. And if you can’t make it to Manchester, you can still get involved in our virtual ‘Reading and Writing Relay’ or by entering our Festival competitions."
The Festival is split into three parts, Public Events with readings and shows for children and families, Schools’ Programme with activities, projects and competitions for school groups and Continuing Professional Development with training for teachers, writers, librarians and arts practitioners to ensure the Festival has an impact beyond the summer of 2012.
Authors taking part include Sherry Ashworth, Julie Bertagna, N. M. Browne, Cathy Cassidy, Mandy Coe, Andrew Cope (and Lara the Spy Dog), Kate Fox, Adele Geras, Julia Green, Philip Gross, Mary Hoffman, Curtis Jobling, Jackie Kay, Liz Kessler, Saci Lloyd, Ian McMillan, Philip Pullman, Jane Rogers, Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Roy, Justin Somper, Jacqueline Wilson, the Festival's Creative Director, Carol Ann Duffy and many more.
Click here to view the full programme. Click here to buy tickets.
