If you want to support and encourage your own or other children in reading, if you want to learn more about children’s books or set up a family reading group, if you are a teacher or librarian who would like to share your passion and expertise about books with your local community, the Federation of Children’s Book Groups offers you the opportunity to do all of these.

You can find out more about the work the FCBG does on our main site:

http://www.fcbg.org.uk/

On November 9 we are holding a one day Festival of Children’s Literature, in Birmingham.

You can buy tickets here: http://www.birmingham-box.co.uk/whats-on/2013/11/09

Inspired by the venue in which the Festival is taking place, the Birmingham Conservatoire, the theme for the day is stories across the arts, exploring how children’s literature has fed into and off music, theatre, film and even puppetry!

We’ve got a brilliant line up for the day!

James Mayhew, perhaps best known for his Katie and Ella Bella Ballerina books which explore fine art and ballet, will be running a fascinating workshop aimed at children 10-14 years old, all about illustrating to live music (performed by musicians from the Conservatoire), using Benjamin Britten’s music for T. H. White’s King Arthur book, The Sword in the Stone. Tickets for the workshop are £11.

Later in the day there will be a unique and magical concert celebrating Benjamin Britten’s centenary with a performance of his The Sword in the Stone, featuring live illustration and readings by James, musicians from the Conservatoire and workshop participants. Tickets for the concert are £5 (free to children who have attended the morning’s workshop).

David Almond, winner of the international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Carnegie Medal, and two Whitbread Awards, will be celebrating 15 years of Skellig, including exploring its adaptation for opera, theatre and film. Tickets: £5.

Clara Vulliamy, who has over 30 books to her name including the much loved Bear with the Sticky Paws and Lucky Wish Mouse, will be hosting an exciting mini puppet toy theatre workshop based on Bubble and Squeak, a book specially written for her to illustrate, by James Mayhew. Tickets: £5 (children) / Free (accompanying adults).

Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Laureate 2003-2005 and author of Private Peaceful and War Horse amongst many others, and Emma Chichester Clark, illustrator of more than 80 books, including Blue Kangaroo, and Melrose and Croc will draw the day to a close with an engaging insight into their new collaboration, a retelling of Pinocchio. Tickets: £5.

During the day you’ll get the chance to meet all the authors and illustrators. There will also be free storytelling, the chance to vote for for your favourite of the Red House Children’s Book Award shortlisted books, and of course the opportunity to buy books by all the authors and illustrators present on the day. You’ll also be able to find out much more about the Federation, if you’re not already a member, and see just how passionate we are about bringing books and children together.
The timetable for the day looks like this:

• 9.45 Doors open
• 10.00-12.00 James Mayhew’s workshop (limited to 25 participants, suggested age: 10-14. Please note, workshop participants will also be taking part in the concert performance at 13.00. They do not require a ticket for the concert, but their family and friends will need to purchase tickets to the 13.00 performance to see the results of the morning workshop). Click here to be taken directly to online sales for James Mayhew’s workshop.
• 11.00-12.00 David Almond. Click here to be taken directly to online sales for David Almond’s session.
• 11.30-12.30 Clara Vulliamy’s workshop (limited to 25 children, suggested age 4-7. Children must be accompanied, but adult tickets are free). Click here to be taken directly to online sales for Clara Vulliamy’s workshop.
• 13.00-14.00 James Mayhew’s concert performance. Click here to be taken directly to online sales for James Mayhew’s concert.
• 15.00-16.00 Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark. Click here to be taken directly to online sales for Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichest Clark’s session.

Book signing, book sales, and storytelling will be taking place at various points during the day.

We’ve timetabled the day to encourage families to come for the whole day. Whilst families might split up for the morning with younger family members attending Clara Vulliamy’s workshop, and older family members seeing David Almond or taking part in James Mayhew’s workshop, the events after lunch – James Mayhew’s concert with live illustration, and Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark in conversation – are ideal for the whole family.

You can purchase tickets online by clicking here (you can opt to collect your tickets on the day, or have them posted to you), or by purchasing them in person at:

The BOX
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Centenary Square, Broad Street
Birmingham
B1 2EP

If you prefer to book tickets over the phone the box office number is 0121 245 4455.

If you have any queries about tickets please email festival@fcbg.org.uk. Alternatively you can phone 07814 741043 for further information.

We do hope as many of you as possible, members and non-members alike, will join us on this very exciting day exploring stories across the arts, an ideal opportunity for families and schools to meet the very best in children’s literature!