Events
Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf - Full, No Availability
Narrator, Rod Halls Conductor, Nigel Bennett
Sunday 9th May 4pm Linton Village College
Peter and the Wolf will be coming to Linton Sunday 9th May when a performance of the famous musical tale is being staged as the finale to the Linton Children’s Book Festival. Prokofiev’s famous work will be performed by the Linton Festival Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Bennett and narrated by Rod Halls. The Linton Festival Orchestra has been formed especially for the occasion and is made up of local musicians from Linton and the surrounding area.
Many of you will know Rod Halls, who was headmaster of Linton Heights Junior School for 10 years until his retirement in 2008. Since then he has become a grandfather, has taken on the role of churchwarden, plays bass regularly in a jazz trio and has joined the City of Ely Waits, where he is called upon to play shawm, crumhorn and side drum. He says, ‘I am delighted to be returning to Linton, the home of some of my favourite musical memories, particularly pupils at the Heights starting to play a wide variety of musical instruments and rapidly developing into accomplished players.’
Nigel Bennett is a local conductor, composer and arranger of music based in Ickleton. He is currently Director of Music for the 4 Villages Orchestra and is also a tutor and manager at the Duxford Saturday Workshop. “I’m really looking forward to conducting Peter and the Wolf for the Linton Children’s Book Festival. It will be great fun to introduce a new audience to Prokofiev’s wonderful work, which was written especially for a young audience.”
Prokofiev constructed the music as a child’s introduction to the orchestra, with each character in the story represented by a different instrument : Peter by the strings, the bird by the flute, the duck by the oboe, the cat by the clarinet, the wolf by the french horns, the Grandfather by the basson and the Hunters’ guns by the drums. Come to Linton and hear this classic tale retold, and don’t forget ………boys like Peter aren’t afraid of wolves!
Pete Johnson – Good Availability
Children’s Author
Sunday 9th May 12.15pm Linton Village College
Parents beware – Pete goes to schools and libraries to talk to children about being a writer and has noticed they were talking about the extra pressure their parents have put on them now. Children told him that it was not just schoolwork, but how their leisure time was organised for them as well.
So Pete wote his book “How to Train Your Parents“ with humour and plenty of attitude. This witty book firmly puts the power in the hands of the children, with some pertinent and knowing truths that parents may prefer not to acknowledge!
Children in the Linton area have been reading this book as part of the “Linton Primary School Cluster Project”, and Pete will be in Linton on Sunday 9th May with a funny, lively and highly interactive talk for the children – giving them tips on how we parents can be trained. You’d better go along and find out how he does it- or be ahead of the game and get reading Pete’s books.
This most popular highly acclaimed author has now written over forty books, which have been translated into more than twenty languages. As well as “How to Train Your parents” he is also best known for his other award-winning comedies, ‘Help! I’m a Classroom Gambler,’ ‘Trust me, I’m a Troublemaker,’ ‘How to Get Famous,’ and ‘Diary of an(Un)teenager’. Pete also write thrillers such as ‘The Ghost dog, ‘Traitor, and ‘The Frighteners and highly popular titles for younger readers including, ‘Pirate Brother,’ ‘Bug Brother,’ and the soon to be launched, ‘Spook School’ series.
The Times wrote that Pete Johnson provides a ‘heady cocktail of compulsive readability.’ He has also been described by TES as ‘one of our best contemporary humorists,’ and praised for ‘writing about characters that every child will recognise and every adult should try to understand.’ (The Observer)
Pete will be judging a writing competition as part of the Linton Children’s Book Festival – details to be announced shortly.
Simon Chapman – Good Availability
Children’s Author
Saturday 8th May 2.15pm Linton Infants School
Simon Chapman was a huge hit when he visited the Festival in 2006. We are delighted he is returning to relate more of his real-life adventures and to educate another generation of children in how to survive some of the harshest environments on the planet.
Simon is a self-confessed jungle addict making expeditions whenever he can. His travels have taken him to tropical forests all over the world, from Borneo and West Papua to the Amazon.
The story of his search for a mythical giant ape in the Bolivian rainforest, The Monster of the Madidi , was published in 2001 (Aurum).
He is the author/ illustrator of Explorers Wanted (Egmont 2003-05), a series of 10 books about how to explore in different parts of the world, with quizzes, historical information and easy-to-understand explanations of scientific principles. Explorers Wanted: At the North Pole was the winner of the 2006 Blue Peter award: ‘Best book with facts’.
In 2007, he had two books of fiction for reluctant readers published by Barrington Stoke: The Land of Whizzing Arrows and Death Leap. A third book, Snow Tigers came out in 2008.
In addition to these books, Simon has also had numerous articles and illustrations published in magazines and newspapers in England and the US, including Wanderlust, BBC Wildlife and South American Explorer. He has written and recorded for BBC Radio 4, had video footage recorded on expedition in Brazil broadcast on the National Geographic channel and lectured on the organisation of jungle expeditions at the Royal Geographical Society, of which he is a fellow.
Read more about Simon Chapman at www.simonsjungle.co.uk.
Budding explorers of all ages will be truly enthralled by the chance to meet a real-life Indiana Jones…
Adham Smart – Good Availability
Young Poet of the Year
Saturday 8th May 12.30pm & 2pm Linton Church Pavilion
Adham Smart is an Anglo-Egyptian teenager who lives in Southeast London. He was first given a leg up the poetry ladder when he was a winner of the Foyle Young Poet of the Year Award in 2006, and then again in 2008 and 2009. This award, founded by the Poetry Society in 1998, is now firmly established as the key award for young poets aged between 11 and 17 years. Still only 17, Adham has been published in a handful of places, including a poem in the Rialto, a couple of short stories for The Cadaverine and a digital chapbook on the Mimesis website. He also helps to run the online youth poetry magazine Pomegranate . Take a look at it to find some of the juiciest poems on the web!
This inspiring and creative young man will be running a poetry workshop on Saturday 8th May for the older children. Come along and see just how easy and fun writing poetry can be.
John Foster – Full, No Availability
Children’s Poet
Saturday 8th May 3.15pm Linton Infants School
‘Twinkle twinkle chocolate bar, Your dad drives a rusty car, Press the starter Pull the choke, Off he goes in a cloud of smoke.’ ……..With themes ranging from pets, magic and weather to favourite foods, families and toys, these are poems for every occasion as complied by John Foster.
John is one of Britain’s leading poetry performers for children, well-known for his performances as a dancing dinosaur and a rapping granny! He is also a well-known poet, anthologist and teacher who is highly-regarded both in the trade and in schools. Together with Korky Paul (illustrator) he has compiled and contributed to many poetry collections for children, amongst them: Dinosaur Poems, Monster Poems, Dragon Poems and Magic Poems. You may well have come across his well loved Really Rude Rhymes, The Poetry Chest, Excuses, Excuses, School’s Out and Whizz Bang Orang-Utan, Football Fever and many many more.
We loved having John at our Festival in 2006 and we are delighted he is returning due to popular demand. Take the opportunity to come and meet John on Saturday 8th May as part of the Linton Children’s Book Festival.
Fairyland Trust – Good Availability
Workshops
Sunday 9th May 12pm, 1.15pm and 2.30pm Linton Village College
“A forgetful fairy keeps losing her way in the woods and learns how to make a special book that will help her find her way home…
“Hear her story and make a miniature book with pictures of wildflowers and leaves from trees. Learn the fairy folklore of trees and wildflowers from the Fairyland Trust.
Back by popular demand after appearing at the 2008 Festival, the Fairyland Trust guarantee a fun-filled and thought-provoking workshop for children of all ages.
Narinder Dhami -Last Few Places Available
Author
Sunday 9th May 1.30pm Linton Village College
Narinder was born in Wolverhampton and now lives in Cambridgeshire. She worked as a primary school teacher for ten years, but for the last nine years she has been a full-time writer. In those nine years, Narinder has written almost two hundred short stories and articles published in children’s and teenage magazines such as Jackie, Catch and Playdays.
In 2002, Narinder shot to fame when she wrote the novelisation for the big-screen smash hit Bend It Like Beckham. In July 2003, her novel for the Corgi Yearling imprint, Bindi Babes took the teenage girl market by storm…
Three feisty, fun-loving Anglo-Asian sisters rule the roost over their dad since their mum died. They’ve got a reputation at school for being the coolest, most sorted babes in town – and what they certainly DON’T need is an interfering Auntie-ji from India inviting herself over to England and cramping their style, which is exactly what their dad organises. The girls then go about trying to devise a cunning plot to make Auntie-ji leave.
Bollywood Babes, Bhangra Babes, Sunita’s Secret and Superstar Babes followed.
In 2007 Dani’s Diary was published, a wonderful story of modern-day friendships mixed with a tale of life in Britain as a new immigrant.
In May 2009 Bang Bang You’re Dead was published - a fast-paced and gripping thriller with an intriguing twist in its tail!
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Narinder at this year’s festival.
Beast Quest
Treasure Hunt
Saturday 8th May from 12.30pm Linton Infants School
Join in our Beast Quest Treasure Hunt in and around St Mary’s Church, Linton. Find the locations where the dragons and beasts from the Kingdom of Avantia came on a secret visit earlier in the year and win Beast Quest prizes.
Kate Slater
Author & Illustrator
Saturday 8th May from 12.30pm Linton Infants School
Magpie’s Treasure is Kate’s debut book – the artwork is fantastic and created entirely in intricate collage. The story is about Magnus Magpie – a bird with an eye for burglary. He steals only the brightest, shiniest, most dazzling things and stashes them secretly in a hollow at the top of his tree. But do all these riches make him happy? It takes a trip to the moon for Magnus to discover that all that glitters is not gold and that true happiness can often be found at home.
Holly Clifton Brown - Full, No Availability
Author
Saturday 8th May 11.00am Linton Library
Annie Hoot and the Knitting Extravaganza is a glorious, bright book that tells the story of Annie Hoot, a kind but scatty little owl. She lives in a tree-house deep in the woods. She is always coming up with new ideas for things to do, and her latest craze is knitting. But unfortunately, the other owls don’t appreciate her wonderful knitted clothes, so she sets off round the world to find other animals who do.
Maggie Bateson & Louise Comfort – Full, No Availability
Author & illustrator
Saturday 8th May 10.00am Linton Library
Maggie Bateson is an extremely creative paper engineer with a talent for devising ever more intricate pop-ups. My Fairy Showtime is Maggie’s 7th carousel for Macmillan, following the huge success of My Fairy Bridesmaid Castle, My Fairy Garden, My Fairy Princess Palace, My Fairy Winter Wonderland, My Fairy Treehouse and My Fairy Funfair, all illustrated by Louise Comfort.
Louise Comfort is an established and hugely popular illustrator. As well as her collaborations with Maggie Bateson, she has illustrated the successful Fairy Phones and Fairytale Princess Stories for Campbell books, establishing her as the queen of fairy publishing!
First Maggie and Louise will talk about how they create these delightful books in a session that will interest the adults as well as the children. Then they will run fairy making workshops which will conclude with the children naming their fairy and waving a wand over them to help them to pop-up. Pop in and pop up for for some magic on Saturday 8th May.
The Milky Way – Full, No Availability
Kumiko Mendl – Japanese Puppet Show
Saturday 8th May 12.30pm Linton Infants School
Based on the Japanese legend of Tanabata, this beautiful tale of friendship set amongst the stars is retold using traditional Kamishibai (Japanese paper theatre). Blending words, pictures, and imagination this is a unique and charming theatrical experience for ages 3 years+ and their families. Kumiko will also be running origami workshops after the show.
For more about this theatre company see www.athousandcranes.org.uk
This event is kindly sponsored by Kumon
Paul Cooper - Full, No Availability
Author
Sunday 9th May 2.45pm Linton Village College
‘Pigs in Planes’ is a new series of funny books for readers aged 7-10, with lots of humour, slap-stick action and cliff-hangers. Paul Cooper provides a lively introduction to the series including interactive reading, a quiz, bags of room for audience participation and some toe-curling jokes! Children get the chance to consider how stories are put together with a special Cliffhanger Challenge! A really fun event which will inspire and enthuse children, both as readers and writers.
Paul has also published books, including The Pig Scrolls and Bug Muldoon and the Garden of Fear under the name ‘Paul Shipton’
Come and meet Paul on Sunday 9th May and make your own paper planes just for fun!
The Sir Peter Blake Art Bus
Friday 7th May 6pm to 9pm Darryl Nantais Gallery
Saturday 8th May 10am to 4pm Darryl Nantais Gallery
The Peter Blake Art Bus has been “recycled” from an old Liverpool double decker that was to be scrapped into a beautiful and state of the art mobile art gallery.
The ethos of the bus is that of a rock n’ roll tour vehicle for artists; a concept that was dreamt up by Lance Trevellyan (MD of CCA) and Sir Peter Blake over dinner after an exhibition of his work in Brighton. The bus has been designed so that the top deck is a gallery space and the lower seating and entertainment area. Sir Peter designed the exterior of the bus in a rock n’ roll pop art style, ensuring that its appearance is flamboyant, beautiful and of course groovy.
The Bus will be parked outside The Darryl Nantais Gallery….. so please step aboard and see what is going on.
Angela Patchett
Children’s Author
Sunday 9th May from 12.30pm Linton Village College
Angela lives in Hertfordshire with her two white cats, Hugs and Cuddles, in a very pink cottage with fairies living at the bottom of the garden near the natural Springs. Of course inside the cottage there is a wonderful magic chair. She has three grown up children, plays the harp, and loves gardening and dancing. Another of her talents is designing hats for Ascot and weddings and many have been featured in HELLO Magazine and the National Press.
Angela’s major passion however is for writing. She has had over 40 poems published in England and America. Her two books “Angela Angel and the Magic Chair” and “Angel” are especially for children who love fairies, magic and teddy bears. Well adults too for that matter! She is currently writing her third children’s book.
Angela works as a Psychotherapist and loves and understands children. She writes in a sensitive way, with a sparkling sense of humour, introducing children to the world of nature and magic which is often lost in today’s materialistic world.
Angela will be bringing her magic chair , her teddies and her harp to the Linton Children’s Book Festival on Sunday 9th May. Come and meet Angela and make your wish on the magic chair. Click here to find out more.
Manga Mayhem! – Last Few Places Available
Workshops for 9-14 year olds
Sunday 9th May 12pm & 2.30pm Linton Village College
At Linton Children’s Book Festival 2010, flex your fingers and grab an opportunity to learn about this art style and what makes a great comic manga. Get your characters looking right and try roughing out a page of your own manga comic!
Manga is the Japanese word for comics. It also broadly refers to cartoon/comic artwork done in this distinctive style from Japan. An early and prominent work is Osamu Tezuka’s Astroboy. Manga is also associated with Animé, its animated counterpart on TV and movie screens. Well known Animé include sci-fi thrillers like Akira, fantasy films like Spirited Away, through to modern-day popular TV shows like Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sweatdrop Studios who are running the worshops are a UK-based independent publishing group creating original manga-styled comics. With over eighty titles including large scale anthologies, they have a variety of styles and subject matter for all readers. The group has 14 members, many of whom are professional illustrators and artists with numerous manga accolades/awards and published works.
During the Linton Childrens’ Book Festival, Sweatdrop Studios will be giving workshops and offering a selection of original products and services – small mini comics, larger collected volumes of graphic novels or manga tankoubons, original artwork posters and prints, and manga-style portraits on the day! Several manga artists will be available at the stall and they will be happy to sign or customise your purchases.
Barbara Mitchelhill – Good Availability
Author
Saturday 8th May 1.15pm Linton Infants School
Barbara has written many exciting adventure and detective books suitable for 6-9 year olds and her famous Damian Drooth Supersleuth books are the basis for our Linton Supersleuth quiz, further details later!
Barbara says: “When I was eight or nine, I used to pretend I was a detective, just like Damian. My friend, Liz, and I used to watch people walking down our street and we would write ‘clues’ in our notebooks. I don’t remember catching any criminals!”
On Saturday 8th May Barbara will read from her latest book Gruesome Ghosts, and then host “who wants to be a Millionaire”! This talk is interactive and some children will have the opportunity to take part in the game and become detectives and put on disguises.
Other of Barbara’s books in the series include; The Case of the Disappearing Daughter, The Case of the Pop Star’s Wedding, Spycatcher, Serious Graffiti, Dog Snatchers, and Under Cover. In May 2010 look out for Football Forgery where Damian Drooth, ace detective, stumbles on a new case at the local football ground. Someone is selling forged tickets and it’s up to our hero to find the culprit!
Barbara also writes books for older readers, she says “I love reading and many of the books I enjoy are thrillers. There’s nothing I like more than reading an exciting, page-turning book with lots of puzzles and twists and turns and where all becomes clear in the end. So it seemed quite natural to me to write thrillers for children”. Winning the Solihull Childrens’ book award in 2009 was Storm Runners and children aged 8 – 12 will also enjoy Dangerous Diamonds and Kids on the Run. Read more about Barbara here and become a Supersleuth yourself by taking part in our quiz.
The Oldest Poo in the World! - Good Availability
Dr Liz Hide
Sunday 9th May 1.30pm Linton Village College
Have a good poke around a dinosaur’s droppings and you will discover the most amazing facts! Just for us geologist and palaeontologist Dr. Liz Hide will forensically examine some of the oldest poo on the planet.
Liz will bring along a selection of fossils from the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge, one of the most important geological collections in the world, to tell you their story.
But you’ll have to be as quick as a Velociraptor, last time Liz’s session at our Book Festival was the first to be snapped up. Roarrrrr.
Indian Dancing Workshops – Good Availability
Gita Mistry
Sunday 9th May 12.45pm and 2.15pm Linton Village College
Attention all budding Bollywood stars! Come and learn some cool Indian dancing moves and then show your friends and family in a short (optional) performance at the end of the afternoon.
Gita Mistry has taught Indian dance for several years at Linton Village College. The workshops will be held at the College’s new dance studio.
Wear comfortable clothes, kick off your shoes, and get dancing!
A Victorian Workhouse Outing
History Walk
Saturday 1st May 12am – Meet at Palmers Close, Linton
Join us as we follow the route of a Victorian Workhouse Outing that took place in 1873.
We start from the Workhouse – now an Old People’s Home – on Symonds Lane. The management of Symonds House have kindly allowed us to view the internal courtyard of this historic building. Many of the original features are still visible including the Warden’s quarters and Workhouse bell.
We will then walk through the village looking at some of the older buildings en route and imagining some of the sights and sounds of Victorian Linton.
Our final destination is the Railway Station (now sadly derelict) – where the children caught a steam train to the coast for their rare treat of a day at the seaside.
This is a wonderful opportunity to see history come alive in your own village. We are very grateful to our local historian Garth Collard CBE for contributing so much material for our guides.
