Northern Children’s Book Festival Gala Day

Free

Suitable for children aged 4-13 years.

About the Gala Day

We’re so excited that we are hosting this year’s Northern Children’s Book Festival Gala Day at The Word on Saturday 18 November!

The Northern Children’s Book Festival passes on the joy of books and reading for pleasure by connecting children and their families with top authors and illustrators.

The Gala Day has something for everyone aged 4-13. There will be free, fun, interactive family sessions with award winning authors, illustrators and story tellers, including Vivian French, Ian Whybrow, The 2 Steves, Korky Paul, Nick Sharratt, Paul Cookson, Jonny Duddle, Piers Torday, Steven Webb & Chris Mould, Dan Smith, Adam Bushnell & Liz Million and Kate Fox. Blackwell’s will be running a pop-up book shop where all the authors and illustrators will be able to sign copies of their books after their sessions.

The day offers the opportunity to experience a range of different things so everyone can come along and enjoy! Children will be able to:

• Meet authors and illustrators in free, family sessions
• Be part of the panel game “Tell Me a Story”
• Join the free drop-in storytelling and craft sessions provided by regional library services
• Explore The Word, from tracking ships on the River Tyne or watching 3D printing in FabLab to discovering everything you need to know about pirates!
• Book places for performance-led storytellying in StoryWorld or artist workshops where you can make a memento of the day

Some sessions will take place across the road in the beautiful St Hilda’s Church.

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Tickets

Tickets will be available through Eventbrite for the Gala Day from Friday 27 October. Tickets for author and illustrator sessions are free but must be booked in advance. Drop-in storytelling and NCBF library services crafts are free.

There will be a nominal charge for artist workshops and performance led storytelling in StoryWorld (highlighted below). For more details about the full programme and how to book your tickets, go to  www.northernchildrensbookfestival.org.uk

Make sure to book your tickets in advance as this will be popular.

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The full programme

Time	Session	Further info
10-10.45am	Adam Bushnell & Liz Million	Ages 6-10, Catherine Cookson Room
10-10.45am	Ian Whybrow	Ages 4-8, St Hilda’s Church
10.30-11.15am	Illustration with Holly Sterling	Ages 6-10, OpenZone Classroom
11.15am-12noon	Kate Eccles – A Whale’s Tale concertina book artist workshop	***£3 per child, Charles Dickens Room
11.15am-12noon	Jonny Duddle	Ages 7-11, Catherine Cookson Room
11.15am-12noon	Nick Sharratt	Ages 4-8, St Hilda’s Church
11.30am-12.15pm	Creative writing with Vivian French	Ages 8-13, OpenZone Classroom
11.45am-12.30pm	Interactive Storytelling	***£3.50 per child/ £2.50 per adult/ £10.50 per family of 4. Ages4+ , StoryWorld
12.15-1pm	Steve Webb & Chris Mould	Ages 7-11, St Hilda’s Church
12.30-1.15pm	Korky Paul	Ages 5-11, Catherine Cookson Room
12.30-1.15pm	Louise Bradley – ‘Your Tern’ spinning bird mobile artist workshop	***£3 per child, OpenZone Classroom
1.30-2.30pm	Bethan Maddocks – Deep Blue Sea tunnel book artist workshop	***£3 per child, Charles Dickens Room
1.30-2.30pm	Tell Me a Story panel game with Vivian French, Paul Cookson, Kate Fox, The 2 Steves and many more. With live drawing.	Ages 4-13, St Hilda’s Church
1.30-2.15pm	Interactive Storytelling	***£3.50 per child/ £2.50 per adult/ £10.50 per family of 4. Ages4+ , StoryWorld
2.30-3.15pm	Dan Smith	Ages 10-13, Catherine Cookson Room
2.45-3.30pm	Louise Bradley – ‘Your Tern’ spinning bird mobile artist workshop	***£3 per child, OpenZone Classroom
2.45-3.30pm	The 2 Steves	Ages 7-12, St Hilda’s Church
3-3.45pm	Illustration with Holly Sterling	Ages 6-10, OpenZone Classroom
3.30-4.15pm	Kate Fox Rhyme & Reason creative writing workshop	Ages 8-12, Charles Dickens Room
3.30-4.15pm	Piers Torday	Ages 9-13, Catherine Cookson Room
3.30-4.15pm	Interactive Storytelling	***£3.50 per child/ £2.50 per adult/ £10.50 per family of 4. Ages4+ , StoryWorld
4-4.45pm	Paul Cookson	Ages 4-13, St Hilda’s Church

There will also be other drop-in activities happening around The Word including:

• FabLab drop-in –  have a go at using the state-of-the-art FabLab and get the chance to make customised coasters, key rings or bookmarks to take away with you. You will even be able to draw your favourite book character to add to the item! All ages, between 10am-2pm
• Drop-in storytelling with Kudzai Pasirayi in the Children’s Library, for ages 4+ at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
• Libraries Crafts Corner for ages 4+, 10am-4pm
• Blackwell’s Bookshop, 10am-5pm
• Beanstalk reading charity
• Meet Pepper Pig

 

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Further infomation

BSL signed performances

BSL signer Mandy Fraser will be available to sign in different sessions, subject to demand. If you would like to request Mandy for a specific session please contact info@northernchildrensbookfestival.org.

Photography 

There will be an official photographer at the Gala Day. Adults and carers need to opt out of being included in photography by identifying themselves to the NCBF staff or official photographer, Richard Kenworthy. Notices will be at each reception desk, in each room and in key locations.