The Monster Festival of Children’s
Books is almost here. The logo has been designed and
the timetable finalized. It really is all systems go!
Logo competition
Events listing
 The
festival officially launches at Waterstone’s Castle
Street at 2.45p.m on May 24th when the Gruffalo will
preside over our balloon race along with members of
the Forum Book Club.
The Gruffalo will be popping in and out
all day on the 24th and we also have local author Gilly
Wilkinson in store all day celebrating the launch.
The fun continues throughout half term
with visits from Pippi Longstocking, Maisy Mouse, Winnie
the Witch and Kipper the Dog. Kipper celebrates his
18th birthday on May 31st and there will be a birthday
party with him as guest of honour at Waterstone’s
Castle Street on the 31st at 3.30pm.
It is not just favourite characters who
will be visiting during the festival – we have
many authors popping in through out the three weeks.
Steve Cole, author of the Astrosaurs books, is coming
to the Children’s Library on May 27th; Titania
Woods is holding a Glitterwings Academy fairy party
there on May 29th; and Justin Somper, author of the
Vampirate books, will be in Waterstone’s Castle
Street on June 10th.
For older readers we are pleased to announce
that award winning authors Meg Rosoff and Michelle Magorian
will be guests of the festival.
Meg Rosoff’s latest book What I
Was has been short listed for this year’s Carnegie
Medal and Meg will be in the Castle Street branch on
June 9th. Michelle Magorian, author of the acclaimed
Goodnight Mr. Tom, will be in store on June 13th signing
copies of all of her books including the recently published
Just Henry.
We will also be supporting local authors
during the festival; Sheridan Winn will be talking to
school children on June 4th as well as signing copies
of her first Sprite Sisters novel.
Richard & Judy favourites Brian Williams
and Roderick Gordon will be joining us for the evening
on June 3rd at the Millennium library. The duo will
be talking about their writing, talking to fans and
signing copies of their books including the brand new
sequel to Tunnels – Deeper.
This year the festival promises to be
bigger and better than ever – a truly monster
affair.
Festival Timetable
Public Events – all are
free
Sat 24 May - Launch Day
The Gruffalo will be appearing in-store throughout the
day.
10am-4pm - Gilly Wilkinson.
Local author Gilly will be in store all day launching
both the Monster Festival and her new book Bad Badger
and Gymnastic Gilly.
2.45pm – Grand
Launch
The Gruffalo and members of the Forum Book Club will
be marking the start of the Festival with a mass balloon
launch and race.
Sunday 25 May
2.30pm – Family Sunday at the
Forum
The Gruffalo will be joining in the regular fun and
games at the Family Sunday event in the Children’s
Library.
Tuesday 27 May
10.30-11am – Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Longstocking will be in the Children’s Department
of Waterstone’s Castle Street reading stories
and playing games.
2.30-3.30pm – Steve
Cole
Author of the Astrosaurs books Steve Cole will be in
the Children’s Room at the Millennium Library
to talk about and sign his books.
Wednesday 28 May
2pm – Maisy Mouse
Maisy Mouse will be helping out at Tiny Tots in the
Children’s Room at the Millennium Library.
Thursday 29 May
10am – Maisy Mouse
Maisy Mouse will be helping out at Tiny Tots in the
Children’s Room at the Millennium Library.
2.30-3.30pm – Glitterwings
Fairy Party
Titania Woods will be holding a Glitterwings fairy party
in the Children’s Room at the Millennium Library.
Fancy Dress welcome.
Friday 30 May
10.30-11.00a.m – Winnie the Witch
Winnie will be in the Children’s Department of
Waterstone’s Castle Street reading stories and
helping do some colouring-in.
Saturday 31 May
Kipper’s Birthday.
3.30-4.30p.m – Kipper’s Birthday
Party
Kipper the Dog will be celebrating his 18th Birthday
in the Children’s Department at Waterstone’s
Castle Street; bring your own favourite toy and come
and join in the fun.
Kipper will be making appearances throughout the day.
Sunday 1 June
2.30pm – Family Sunday at the Forum
Kipper will be joining in the regular fun and games
at the Family Sunday event in the Children’s Library.
Tuesday 3 June
6.30pm – Brian Williams and Roderick
Gordon
Local authors Williams and Gordon will be at the Millennium
Library talking about their writing, fame since appearing
on Richard and Judy and their new book Deeper.
Saturday 7 June
10am – Where’s Wally
Where’s Wally will be hiding somewhere in the
Waterstone’s Castle Street branch – can
you find him?
2.30-3.30pm – Where’s
Wally?
Where’s Wally is the special guest in the Children’s
Room at the Millennium Library – can you spot
him?
Monday 9 June
4.30-5pm – Meg Rosoff
Carnegie Medal winning author Meg Rosoff will be in
the Waterstone’s Castle Street branch signing
copies of her book and chatting to fans.
Tuesday 10 June
4.30-5pm – Justin Somper
Author Justin Somper will be in the Waterstone’s
Castle Street branch signing copies of his Vampirates
books as well as chatting to fans.
Friday 13 June
4.30-5pm – Michelle Magorian
Award-winning author Michelle Magorian will be in the
Waterstone’s Castle Street branch signing copies
of all her books including Goodnight Mr. Tom and her
fabulous new novel – Just Henry.
Logo competition
We had some fantastic entries for competition
to design the official Festival logo, when we asked
children to come up with a wacky, weird and wonderful
drawing of a monster. The winning design, from Emily
Munt, 12, of Drayton, features on all the publicity
materials for the Festival.
The winner also receives a £50 gift card from
Waterstone’s and there are three runners up prizes
of a parcel of children’s books, one for each
age category. All entries to the competition will form
part of a special exhibition in the Millennium Library
from May 1.
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