Have you ever wondered how on earth you could get to meet some of your favourite children’s authors and illustrators? Are you looking to inspire someone who’s lost their love of reading? Or are you perhaps hunting for some new recommendations? Book Boy and I are doing just that at the weekend and will be recording a special podcast episode.

You can do all this too at the phenomenally excellent Barnes Children’s Literature Festival at the weekend (11th and 12th May.) There are plenty of free events to enjoy and some where you’ll need to book tickets so make sure you visit the website to choose your favourites!

Highlights this year include the London premiere of the theatre version of The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris; appearances from Lauren Child, Judith Kerr, Michael Rosen, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon and David Almond; a first ever dedicated programme for babies from 6 month and a dedicated SEND programme for children with special educational needs.  Click HERE for the full programme.

I am very excited to have not one, but two fantastic giveaways for you!

Firstly, I have a family ticket to the workshop of the wonderful Candy Gourlay on Saturday 11th May: Is it a mermaid? Dive under the sea with BookTrust Writer in Residence Candy Gourlay to find out about the mysterious dugong – a creature who thinks she’s a mermaid!

I also have an absolutely stonking bundle of middle grade fiction for one lucky reader. It features some of the very best of current children’s middle grade writing (suitable for 9+) and you’ll be able to see some of them at the festival if you can make it!

All you have to do to enter, is to comment on this blog post with the name of the prize you’d most like to win. All entries need to be in by 9pm on Wednesday 8th May. Good luck!

Library Girl.

*Huge thanks to Jo Hardacre for organising these fantastic prizes*