Children's column - The children's events at the Oxford Literature Festival

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Written by Nicolette Jones

Monday, 11 January 2010 11:12

As director of the Children’s Programme of the Sunday Times Oxford Literature Festival, for which events go on sale to the public next weekend, I thought the readers of Bookbrunch might like an update.

There were problems last year with attendances, principally because the children’s programme was printed separately from the adults’ and not distributed to all the same places. This year the children’s events will not only be in the same programme, but also intermingled with the adult events. There are a number of family events with crossover appeal as well.

The children’s programme has been narrowed down to some 20 events so that we can concentrate on attracting the best audiences. I hope there will be more opportunities for more publishers, authors and illustrators next year, when the audiences have been won over.

I have gone for performers who are guaranteed to be entertaining and will make anyone who attends feel they have had their money’s worth. I am delighted to say that these include, to give a random sample (those unmentioned will be just as good): Louise Rennison giving a one-woman preview of her new performing arts series, of which the first book, Withering Tights, will be out in the autumn. A double act of Meg Rosoff and Mal Peet discussing the boundaries of young adult fiction. Tim Pigott-Smith (author of the Baker Street Mysteries) talking about the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes, with Andrew Lane, author of the forthcoming Young Sherlock series. Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman and Frances Hardinge talking about what fantasy can tell us about reality. A Macmillan Picture Book Parade event with Chris Riddell, Axel Scheffler and Catherine Rayner, and some live drawing. Anthony Horowitz talking about his writing and screenwriting with Paul Blezard. William Nicholson discussing the pornification of teenage sex, in the Institute of Psychiatrists’ Connecting Conversations series.

Christopher Lloyd, evolutionary history’s Indiana Jones, with his interactive, gadget-rich show about species that changed with world. Kristina Stephenson taking small children on a big adventure with Sir Charlie Stinkysocks, with singing and participation. The shortlisted candidates for Blue Peter’s Book I Couldn’t Put Down introducing their books (Frank Cottrell Boyce, Harriet Goodwin, Ali Sparkes), chaired by a CBBC presenter, and with some professional singing. Geraldine McCaughrean and Philip Reeve with their great rapport, chaired by fan Jonathan Douglas. Add to this Steve Cole, Fiona Bird cooking in Christ Church’s mediaeval kitchen, Louise Yates and Katie Cleminson involving small children in creative activities, Zizou Corder taking audiences on a Journey to Ancient Greece, and Carol Ann Duffy’s versions of fairy tales read by actor Jeany Spark in Christ Church Cathedral, with a gloss on their religious symbolism by the sub-Dean. And a three-hour workshop on How to Get a Children’s Book Published, by Greenhouse’s Julia Churchill and Egmont’s Leah Thaxton. (And more high-profile events are imminently to be confirmed.)

Between now and March there will be feverish marketing to fill the house for every event. And I shall be working closely with the bookshop too to ensure that the book stock asked for by the publishers is there.

We are also paying attention to activity around the periphery of events, to help create a carnival atmosphere for families who attend. And I look forward very much to welcoming all the participants personally, and attending all the children’s events (except for some on Saturday 27th March which clash with adult events I had previously programmed for the St Hilda’s College day, and will be busy chairing). But literary agent Catherine Clarke will be standing in where necessary. I think it is going to be fun for participants and audiences alike.

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