St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature Returns for Fourth Year

There are not many weekends where you can meet a football mascot, a bestselling author with a BBC adaptation to his name and Peter Rabbit himself, all in the same town. St Austell is about to be one of them.

The St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature returns this month for its fourth year, bringing football mascots, bestselling authors, storybook characters and family entertainers to local children. The festival takes place on Friday 12th June in local schools and continues with a Family Day in St Austell town centre on Saturday 13th June. The aim is to encourage more children to discover a love of reading through a programme of free and low-cost activities.

Sport and stories side by side

Among the guests is children’s author Tom Palmer, Cornwall Libraries Ambassador and one of the UK’s leading writers on sport and reading. Tom will appear alongside Truro City FC’s mascot, and together they will show young people how reading and sport can work hand in hand.

From the page to the BBC

Children will also get the chance to meet bestselling author J.J. Arcanjo, creator of the popular Crookhaven series, which has recently been adapted for television by the BBC. J.J. will visit schools and appear at the Family Day event, sharing his journey from page to screen.

There is more performance on the bill too. Award-winning storyteller and pantomime performer Mama G will bring interactive storytelling sessions to families, using performance and creativity to show how reading can build confidence, imagination and self-expression.

And throughout the festival, Peter Rabbit will make special appearances, giving young readers the chance to meet one of children’s literature’s most enduring characters.

A Cornish audiobook company joins in

The festival is also putting a spotlight on Cornwall’s creative and technology sector through a partnership with local audiobook company xigxag. The certified B Corp is donating free audiobooks during the schools programme and showcasing its x-book® technology, which combines audio, text and illustrations in a single reading experience. The company is a local success story, competing in a market largely dominated by international corporations while promoting literacy and access to books.

A Family Day for £1

Heather Wright, a Festival Director of the St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature, said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing the magic of books to Cornwall’s children for a fourth year. As a National Year of Reading Pledge Partner, we’re passionate about helping young people discover a lifelong love of reading. By keeping Family Day tickets at just £1, we’re making sure as many families as possible can join in.”

The Family Day programme on Saturday 13th June will feature author events, storytelling sessions, family activities and the chance for children to meet some of their favourite literary characters.