Linton Children's Book Festival

Presentations and Gruffalo

2008-06-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

For you final few stalwarts that are still looking at the website! A few photos of the fabulous Gruffalo meeting his fans, and some of the presentations to winners, and organisers.

Spymaster, Craig and Hill - Sunday 11th May

2008-06-07T00:22:00.000-07:00

On that hot Sunday afternoon, Stuart Hill, author of the icemark Chronicles entertained us with ghost stories, families worked together to solve the Spymaster challenge without setting off alarms or being spotted by the cameras and Joe Craig dazzled us by creating improvised endings to his popular novels using ideas from the audience.

Bloom'n Workshops - Sunday 11th May

2008-06-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

The photos today are of Val Bloom telling her tales of Caribbean childhood...and getting everyone to join in. Curwen Print showing techniques for creating your own book cover, Alan Shea and his Creative Thinking workshop and Deborah Chancellor and her Write-a-Book workshop.

I'm nearly there, I think another couple of days and I'll have covered all the events! Thanks to Dan Johnson for the photos.

Axel Scheffler in Linton Saturday 10 May

2008-06-03T21:53:00.001-07:00

Can you believe Axel Scheffler was here in Linton's Infant School? The hall was packed (to it's hard fought for increased capacity) and we all loved his drawings.

Saturday afternoon - Poetry Raps, Coats and Magic

2008-06-02T10:13:00.001-07:00

Cathy Myer ran a couple of "Poetry Coat" workshops for different age groups and the children were enraptured. Tony Mitton read out his poetry and talked about his inspirations and the Fairyland Trust ran three wand making workshops. Thank you to Dan Johnson for the pictures.

Saturday Afternoon - Puppets, Music and Print

2008-06-01T02:02:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of Obelon Puppet's the Singing Storycloth, Curwen Print and Emma Mason's Music Matters. All happening on Saturday afternoon, May 10th at the Infant School in Linton.

Saturday Morning 10th May Linton Library

2008-05-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

Linda Pearson looked after the events at Linton Library on Saturday morning, whilst a team of people put up the fairyland tent, gazebos, laid out tables and chairs and put up diplays, car park signs and balloons at the Infant School ready for the afternoon.

Sophie Smiley talked about her books, and Liz Hide read the story of Stone Girl Bone Girl and showed the children some fantastic fossils. The library storytelling team read stories to the very youngest children.

Remember Friday 9th May - photographs

2008-05-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

Marion Leeper visited the Playgroups, together with the Gruffalo and Julia Jarman read stories and led workshops at the Infants and Junior School. It was also "Dressing Up" Day for the schools, and Linton children and teachers entered into the spirit of the event by dressing up as their favouite book characters. Can you spot....Sculduggery Pleasent, Spy Dog, the Mad Hattter, Noddy, the White Rabbit, the Tiger that came to tea, and Paddiwak amongst the pictures here?

Remember Thursday 8th May - photographs

2008-05-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday 8th May saw pupils from the Heights and the Infant School meeting to share books at the Library although we have no photos of that. We do have lovely photos of Garden storytime at 40 Symonds Lane where we listened to "Too Much Noise" by Ann Mc Govern and other stories. The children searched for paper bees and each took home a pumpkin seeedling to grow for themselves.

Linton Theatre Workshop perfomed their Revolting Rhymes again, this time to the Beavers and Cubs and their families - and received an appreciative and very loud "hurrah" for their efforts.

Thank you to Dan Johnson for the photographs.

Remember Weds 7th May - photographs

2008-05-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

The beautifully sunny morning started off with Chalemina's performance to the Tots in Tow audience. Then after school, we listened to The Elephant's Child at 3 Mill Lane and the children made elephant bookmarks after the story. Finally the Rainbows and Brownies thoroughly enjoyed some Revolting Rhymes performed by the Linton Theatre Workshop. Thank you to Dan Johnson for the photographs.

And finally on 6th May - Monkey Puzzle in the Garden

2008-05-26T01:07:00.000-07:00

Our first Garden Storytime was at 41 Back Road. Rosemary read The Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

As in the book the children followed the butterfly around the garden searching for the little monkeys mum but finding the other animals instead.

Remember Spill the Beans / Dance-a-Story / Chalemina Tuesday 6th May

2008-05-25T00:14:00.001-07:00

Something for everyone today - starting off with Spill the Beans who went to the Infant School, the Junior School and finally the Granta Special School.

Children at both Linton playgroups joined in with Dance a Story of "Where the Wild Things Are" with Cindy Faulkner.

In the afternoon, Linton Infants School enjoyed a performance of "Sir Goward the Coward and the Feasty Beasty".

Remember the Linton History Walk - photos 3rd May 2008

2008-05-23T11:06:00.001-07:00

On Saturday 3rd May, Garth Collard led the first ever Linton Children's History Walk. Around 70 people walked with Garth and heard the story of the Battle of Linton from a Roundhead and Cavalier who joined us on the journey.

Photos by Dan Johnson.

Check back each day - and re-live the Linton Children's Book Festival 3 - 11 May 2008

PRESS RELEASE

2008-05-14T01:38:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Linton Children's Book Festival came to a suitably energetic and entertaining finale on the afternoon of Sunday 11th May when author Joe Craig dazzled the audience with improvised new endings to his popular novels. Children from Linton and the surrounding area had enjoyed over forty separate events at various venues around the village in the previous eight days – aided and abetted by some glorious weather.

Local historian Garth Collard kicked off the Festival on Saturday 3rd May, leading a children's history walk that recreated the Battle of Linton that took place in 1648 during the English Civil War.

More than 70 people came to hear Garth describe the battle with the help of a Cavalier and a Roundhead. The group followed the route of the Roundhead soldiers into the village and imagined the fighting that took place on the very same streets 350 years ago.

During the following week, Linton children entered into the spirit of things by devising a ‘Design a Bookmark’ competition and writing short stories. They enjoyed performances from the Linton Theatre Workshop, Chalemina music group and author Julia Jarman. A particular highlight was the visit by Spill the Beans performance poets whose boisterous humour went down a storm at the Granta special school.

Linton playgroups have been treated to music sessions and stories by the talented Marion Leeper, who on this occasion was accompanied by a Gruffalo! Local people also generously hosted garden storytimes in the afternoons that were hugely popular – no doubt assisted by the warm weather.

The final weekend began on the morning of Saturday 10th May at Linton Library. Local mum and palaeontologist Liz Hide told the story of Stone Girl Bone Girl and showed the children some real fossils. Also visiting was Sophie Smiley, a local author of books for younger children about a football-crazy family.

On Saturday afternoon at Linton Infants School, a large crowd was buzzing with excitement and the cafe did a roaring trade in ice-pops.

In the school hall, Obelon Puppets presented ‘The Singing Storycloth’ on a beautiful stage with stories that the children found captivating. Then Tony Mitton, one of Cambridge's favourite children's poets, read from his work and coped admirably with those children that decided to join in.

Outside, the Fairyland Trust ran a popular wand-making workshop in a beautiful circular canvas tent. The sessions started with a magical story; then children had to choose the wood for their wands and learnt about its magical properties. The sessions ended with a sprinkling of magic fairy dust.

Away from the main stage, Cathy Myer enchanted children with her poetry coat, Curwen Press taught children the art of printmaking and Emma Mason entertained the very young with songs and rhymes. Jeanette Hurworth of Biddles Ltd. told stories about her two dogs Alphie and Archie – who came along for the day as well.

One of the many highlights of the day was the closing talk by Axel Scheffler, world-famous illustrator of ‘The Gruffalo’. After his presentation, Axel stayed for nearly two hours to sign and personally illustrate every single child's book. He also presented the winners of the bookmark competition with prizes generously donated by Linton Zoo. Biddles Ltd. will print up the winning designs to be sold in aid of animal conservation projects at the zoo.

The winners were:

Reception: Natalia Allen for “Dibble Dobble”
Year 1: Bethany Layton for “Jumping Croc-a-Duck”
Year 2: Elisha Keep for “Snapper Crocker Ellie”
Year 3: Holly Bowie for “Chip-a-Lion”
Year 4: Rhiannon Glasssmith for “The Dreder”
Year 5: Scott Catley for “Pere - P9”
Year 6: Joe Richardson for “The Oo-Ballo”

On Sunday 11th May, the scene changed to Linton Village College where award-winning poet and broadcaster Valerie Bloom enchanted her audience with songs and stories inspired by her childhood in Jamaica and south London.

Author Stuart Hill entertained us with anecdotes from his long and varied career and charmed sceptical audience members with his most convincing ghost stories. He talked about his popular trilogy ‘The Icemark Chronicles’ and described how he became an "overnight success", after 31 years of trying to get published….

For those who preferred a more hands-on experience, there were two writing workshops run by new author Alan Shea, and experienced non-fiction writer Deborah Chancellor.

Everyone enjoyed the Spymasters Challenge, a fun event devised especially for the Festival by Bob Richardson of Spymasters, Bar Hill. The mission for our amateur spies was to recover a top-secret computer chip before it fell into the wrong hands.

Participants had to dodge cameras, step over laser beams and avoid setting off alarms as well as cracking codes and solving puzzles.

The winning team was the Watts Family who won a free mission for 5 to Spymasters. Runners up received a discount voucher to Spymasters and Joe Craig's latest book.

The afternoon was brought to an upbeat end with Joe Craig, one of Britain's top writers of spy fiction for children. Joe dazzled us with his quick-witted, interactive and very entertaining session on the key ingredients necessary for telling a story. Thanks to suggestions from the Linton audience, we now expect Joe’s next book to feature smelly socks, pet cows and a girl called ‘Apple’!

The Linton Children’s Book Festival was funded by the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme, Linton Parish Council, the Anderson Benefaction Fund and the Making Music Outreach programme.

The event is entirely run by volunteers from Linton. If you are interested in providing sponsorship for this event in 2010, please get in touch with the organisers via our website www.lintonbookfest.org.

Thats It for 2008 !

2008-05-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all, especially, the stalwarts who have been there from meeting 1 in October, and have given so much. Andrew, Kirsten, Lindsay, Sarah, Angela, Linda, Lesley, Liz, Louise, Sue, Ewen, Yasmin and Dan.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz "hic"

Busy Day

2008-05-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

It has been great today and things have run like clockwork thanks to Kirsten's meticulous planning. A quick glance though evaluation forms gives us very positive feedback; though several of you were disappointed we ran out of ice pops! Well - the whole of Linton ran out of ice pops as we bought every last one from the Co-op yesturday!

So much to say but I've got another day of "busy" ahead so just wanted to post how amazed and pleased we all were with Jo Duncan's paint work brightening up the Reception Year playground area. She had worked so hard to have it completed by today. Axel Scheffler loved it too, as you can see.

See those of you with older children tomorrow for another fantastic bookfest day.

Book Character Dressing Up Day & Storytelling

2008-05-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

On the day before the Book festival weekend, all the children and teachers in Linton school dressed up as their favourite book characters. I don't know how much work was done, but a lot of fun was had! Julia Jarman visited both the Infants and the Junior Schools to give readings and workshops about her books. She was pleased to receive advice on where the Time Travelling Cat should visit next and gave out prizes for the best short story comptition at the Heights.

Marion Leeper from Cambridge Stroytellers read Monster stories to the Playgroup children and was accompanyed by The Gruffalo who enjoyed the stories as much as the children.

Big day tomorrow - tickets are still available to many events.

Ticket Availability - Final Update

2008-05-09T03:53:00.000-07:00

With a day to go until the weekend events kick off, there are still tickets available to see some great authors, poets and entertainers at the Linton Children's Book Festival.

On Saturday (tomorrow) we have a few places left to see Sophie Smiley in the library at 11.15am the morning. In the afternoon at Linton Infants school, there are lots of tickets left to see Obelon Puppets at 1pm and Tony Mitton at 2.15pm. Just come along tomorrow before the event you want to see and we will be handing out tickets from the information desk. Remember that there will be drop-in music and storytelling sessions throughout the afternoon to keep the younger family members happy.

On Sunday, there is plenty of capacity in the LVC main hall - so if you fancy seeing Val Bloom, Stuart Hill or Joe Craig - or all three! - just turn up on the day and we will give you tickets at the information desk. If you prefer to a more hands-on experience, why not sign up to the workshops run by Alan Shea and Deborah Chancellor. This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some internationally-renowned authors in our village - so please come along and prepare to be thoroughly entertained!

Check out the website for more details about all the speakers named above.

A couple of other things to bear in mind about the weekend...

Returns
If you have tickets to Axel Scheffler - or any the Saturday workshops - but can't come for any reason - please return the tickets to the information desk or call the organisers on 0771 3160306 - as we have waiting lists for all these events.

Parking
On Saturday afternoon, there are lots of parking spaces in Coles Lane and the Health Centre car park for visitors coming in by car. There will be signs directing you to these locations if you are unfamiliar with the village. We ask you not to park in Church Lane (next to the Infants School) as there is a Christening service on at the church in the afternoon.

On Sunday there is plenty of parking space within the Linton Village College grounds.

Finally, the weather forecast is excellent - so please bring along hats and suncream for the little ones - there will be plenty of refreshments available from the PSA cafe.

We can't wait to see you there!

Sharing Books and Noisy Bees

2008-05-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Pupils from Linton Heights and Linton Infants School met at the Linton Library today to show each other, and talk together about their favourite books. It was great to see them chatting easily as they gradually gained confidence in explaining stories to each other.

The last storytime was a delight, and whilst we all kept as quiet as we could to hear the twittering birds and garden noises, before listening to "Too Much Noise", by Ann McGovern, all we could hear was the ice cream van's tinkling call. I bet he did good business today! An added excitement was when the children were sent off to search the garden for paper bees and were finally sent home with a growing gift....a pumpkin seedling to nourish.

The Linton Theatre Workshop perfomed Revolting Rhymes once more - this time to the Beavers and Cubs and their families. The rhymes were pitched just right for these boys who have all gone home with a new found respect for Red Riding Hood - and giggling about her producing "a pistol from her knickers". They gave the Linton Theatre Workshop a resounding "Hoorah" in appreciation at the end.

Tomorrow is dressing up day! Pupils at Linton Playgroups, Infants and Junior Schools are all dressing up as their favourite book character. Well known author Julia Jarman will be visiting the Infant and Junior schools, and Marion Leeper frrom Cambridge Storytellers will be visiting the playgroups. Rumour has it that a certain very famous book character may be visiting with her.....he has puple prickles all over his back....who could it be?

A Day of Rhymes and Elephants

2008-05-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

This morning Chalemina gave a performace of Little Bo-Peep and other Nursery Rhymes to around 100 tots and their parents. Costumes were amazing and thankfully Little Bo Peep did eventually find her sheep (in Old McDonalds Farm).

The Rainbows and Brownies also enjoyed some rhymes, but this time by Roald Dahl, and of a more revolting nature - have you ever thought about the Goldilocks story from the Three Bears point of view? She isn't a goodie according to them!

A sunny garden storytime in Mill Lane was enjoyed by almost 70 children and their parents. Susan Anderson read the story "The Elephant's Child" by Rudyard Kipling, from a book that was 99 years old! The children were entranced and afterwards made their very own elephant bookmarks to take home.

Our final Garden Storytime is tomorrow 8th May at 40 Symonds Lane, when we will be hearing "Too Much Noise". Don't miss it at 3.30pm. Also, Beavers and Cubs and their families will also have the opportunity of seeing Linton Drama Workshop's performance of Revolting Rhymes.

What a scorching start..........

2008-05-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

It was such a relief to meet Paul and David from "Spill the Beans" outside the Infants School this morning, well in time for their 9.00am slot at the Infants. They had elected to travel from Nottingham early, and had even managed to find a parking space outside the school - what luck. However, our relief was short lived as we were greeted by a look of surprise from the Infant School staff, and the statement "I thought you were coming tomorrow?"

Nevertheless, lessons plans were thrown out of the window and the children thoroughly enjoyed the energetic poetry from the hilarious duo, joining in with gusto...as were the teachers.

They went on to perform at The Heights and the Granta Special School and so far we have had a very enthusiastic feedback from pupils and teachers alike.

Cindy Faulkner encouraged the pre-schoolers at Chestnut and Granta Playgroups to dance the story of "Where the Wild Things Are", by Maurice Sendak and Chalemina gave their first performance of the bookfest week at the Infant School.

Chalemina performing "Sir Goward the Coward and the Feasty Beasty" enraptured their audience with the fabulous interaction, costumes and musical instruments.

The first of the Garden Storytimes was held at 41 Back Road. Children enjoyed a drink and a biscuit and the searched around the garden for the animals in "The Monkey Puzzle" as they followed the story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (yes the same Axel who will be coming to Linton on Saturday)!

Tomorrow Chalemina will be performing Little Bo Peep to the 'Tots in Tow" audience, starting at 10.30am at the Village Hall. There is still space available if you would like to come.

Wednesday 7th May Garden storytime is at 3 Mill Lane 3.30pm with the story of "The Elephant's Child". Also the Rainbows and Brownies and families will be enjoying "Revolting Rhymes" by Roald Dahl at 7.00pm.

Make the most of the wonderful weather, I can't believe we've been so lucky, and make the most of Bookfest.

Dance-a -Chalemina and Spill the Garden Storytimes

2008-05-05T07:46:00.001-07:00

Tommorow is a packed out bookfest day for the children of Linton.

In the morning the pre-school children in Chestnut and Granta Playgroups will be invited to "Dance-A-Story" with Cindy Faulkner. Cindy is a practitioner in the Linton Complementary Health Centre and is trained in Dance, Drama and Mime with over 15 years experience of teaching movement in the community.

Spill the Beans are making a welcome return to Linton bookfest and will begin a day of performances and workshops at the Infant school. They will also visit the Heights and end up at the Granta Special School in the afternoon. Gary Dadd, teacher at the Special School has been adament from day one of planning the 2008 Bookfest that he wanted Spill the Beans to visit his school. "Their high energy, interactive, fun approach to poetry is just what our children will enjoy". The in-school performances by Spill the Beans have been made possible by grants from the Parish Council and the Charles and Mary Anderson Benefaction Trust.

In the afternoon the Infant School will also enjoy a performance of "Sir Goward the Coward and the Feasty Beasty", thanks to a grant from the Making Music Out Reach Programme. Chalemina specialise in small-scale productions for young children. They will put on a fully-staged performance with splendid costumes, singing, dancing and music (on ancient instruments) - which is entertaining, educational and fun. Chalemina perform regularly at the Cambridge Summer Music Festival in their Music 4 Kids programme, tomorrow children at the Infants school will enjoy it for free.

Finally at 3.30pm all children are invited to the first of our Garden storytimes, a reading of "The Monkey Puzzle", which is to be at 41 Back Road. If the weather forcast is to be relied upon it is going to be a scorcher, so don't forget your hats.

Linton's Children's History Walk

2008-05-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Weren't we lucky with the weather? Thank - you to Garth, and his 350 year old companions, for bringing history to life today. Around 70 people met up at the Grip and enjoyed learning about the Battle of Linton and how frightening it must have been for the people living in the houses in the High Street.

Whose side would you choose to be on in the bloody Civil War? Most of us voted for the Roundheads, the winners on that ocassion.

I think the Wedding party in St Mary's Church were rather surprised to see a Cavalier, and a Roundhead and his wife competing for the photographs. Watch out for a report in the Haverhill Echo and the Saffron Walden Reporter next week.

Photos by Dan Johnson

Garth's History Walk

2008-05-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Reminder that it is tommorrow, Saturday 3rd May, 2.oopm. Meet at The Grip. The weather is predicted to be fine and it will be an exciting and memorable afternoon. We have never done this before! Don't miss it!

Valerie Bloom - Carnival

2008-05-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this You Tube clip of Valerie Bloom performing "Carnival"!

Lots more high-energy entertainment guaranteed at 1pm on Sunday 11th May at Linton Village College - you'd be mad to miss it!

Cry of the Icemark - Stuart Hill

2008-04-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

Book Review by Ewen Keller

When I first picked up this book I was intrigued by the blurb on the back talking about Thirrin, a fourteen year old girl who must take up the burden of being queen of a little known kingdom, The Icemark, after her father is killed in battle. It mentions how she has to adapt to the role in the face of almost certain defeat and death at the hands of the evil Polypontian Empire but that her greatest strengths lie in her ability to forge very unlikely alliances against all odds.

Indeed the first chapter starts with Thirrin almost being killed by a werewolf that she is hunting, but this encounter and how she reacts subsequently, defines the very essence of the book.

Once started, this tale is a real page turner, with loads of amazing characters, some good and some not so, but things are not always what they seem. This world is set at a time very similar to that of the Roman Empire and Thirrin has a certain similarity to Queen Boudica but werewolves, witches, armies of trees and vampires take the reader into another realm. The book manages to balance a heady mix of action, battles, sadness and humour in such a way as to appeal to all ages and both girls and boys. The ending is brilliant but I’m not going to spoil anything by saying that the sequel which I am just about finished, continues the tale with Thirrin and her family and many familiar faces, both friend and foe.

All in all an excellent read, which left me wanting more.

Busy Beavers & Creative Cubs

2008-04-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

In support of the Linton Children's Book Festival, the First Linton Scouts Group have been busy sending in their photos of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts reading books in unusual places or positions. Whoever would read a book on a giant snowball?

At their meeting next week they are also going to be reading from books from around the world and drawing their own pictures.

You can see a display of their contributions at the Infants School on Saturday 10th May.

Bookmark Winners Decided

2008-04-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

We had 90 entries to our "Design a Gruffalo Bookmark" competition. Kim Simmons and the staff at the Zoo judged the comptition and took into account imagination and inventiveness, use of colour and the name given to the imaginary animal. She tells us that she was most impressed with the designs and that the staff had a lot of fun choosing the winners.

So, the winning designs have been sent today (special delivery) to Biddles Limited, the publisher who will make them into bookmarks.

Prizes will be awarded by Axel Scheffler on Saturday 10th May and you will be able to see a display of all the designs at the Infant school on Saturday 10th May and at Linton Village College on Sunday 11th May.

Ticket Availability Update - 27 April

2008-04-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

After the first week of bookings, we are delighted to report that our events are proving very popular - so there is definitely going to be a real buzz around Linton during Bookfest week!

We still have a few tickets left for Chalemina's Nursery Rhyme Show on Weds 7th May at 10.30am in Linton Village Hall - but they are going fast - so give the booking hotline a ring on 01223 837456 if you want to be sure of a place.

On Saturday 10th May, we still have good availability for Obelon Puppets and Tony Mitton in the main hall of the Infants School. Although Axel Scheffler and the workshops are at full capacity, you can still plan a great day out with our drop-in storytime sessions and music activities - so why not check the programme and ring us to reserve your places?

On Sunday 11th May at Linton Village College, we only have a few slots left for the Spymasters Challenge - so get on the phone quickly if you were thinking of taking part. We have tickets left for all three speakers in the main hall - Val Bloom at 1pm, Stuart Hill at 2.30pm and Joe Craig at 3.45pm. All three are guaranteed to inform and entertain - you can find out more on the website.

Looking forward to hearing from you...

Come across a Bookcrossing book?

2008-04-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

This week 40 bookcrossing books will be hidden, or sometimes just placed very obviously in locations around Linton. These are free books and are starting their journey round the world from here.

Please do pick them up and discover what you should do next, by going to the website. http://www.bookcrossing.com/.

Good luck!

Tickets Now Available!

2008-04-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Now that the priority booking period is closed, tickets will be available to the general public from Monday morning (21 April).

Our friends at Sawston Books have kindly agreed to be our "box office" - so call them to book your places on 01223 837456 (open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm).

We won't be issuing physical tickets as there won't be time to put them all in the post - but we will take your name and address and this will be sufficient to gain entry on the day. If you have any questions, please call and we will do our best to answer them.

We did get a really good response from Linton schools in our priority booking period - so, as you can probably imagine, some events are already at capacity. We have posted the current availability of tickets on the programme page of the website - so you can check before you call.

For those of you who wanted to see Axel Scheffler - sorry! - his talk is full already. We will open a waiting list for returns so it is worth ringing in anyway. And remember, the lucky prizewinners from our bookmark competition will receive their prizes from Axel - so why not have a go? - the templates can be downloaded from the front page of the website.

There are plenty of tickets left for other events on the Saturday - including Obelon Puppets, Tony Mitton and the Fairyland Trust's Wand Making Workshops. And lots to do on Sunday as well!

So we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Children's History Walk with Garth Collard

2008-04-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

One of the many good things about organising a book festival is finding out amazing stuff about the place you have been living for 10 years - and meeting some amazing people as well.

Garth Collard is one such person. We really wanted to involve him this time around because he has been enthusing students at the Village College all his professional life - and has recently been recognised with the award of an MBE for his services to local history.

Garth has kindly agreed to lead a Children's History walk recreating the Battle of Linton that took place in 1648 - during the latter phase of the English Civil War. It will kick off our Festival on Saturday 3 May - starting at 2pm in The Grip.

You may be forgiven for thinking (as we did...) that this battle was an insignificant footnote in the wider ebb and flow of the war. But you would be wrong.

At the time, King Charles 1 was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight but still fomenting unrest against Parliament and the country's new leaders. There was widespread and genuine hatred of the harsh puritanical laws that the new regime had brought in. Rebellions broke out in Wales, Scotland, Kent and Essex. The New Model Army was split, with Cromwell heading north and Fairfax staying in the south - and fighting raged during the summer of 1648.

Following the Battle of Maidstone, the charismatic Royalist commander Sir Charles Lucas fell back to Colchester and was beseiged by Fairfax. But in Cambridgeshire a force of rebels prepared to march south and relieve the siege. Fairfax despatched Colonel John Sparrow with a company of 600 men to deal with this threat.

As Sparrow approached from Saffron Walden, he fought brief skirmishes with the retreating rebels in Ashdon and Haws Hill (behind Hadstock).

Early in the morning of June 16th, Sparrow advanced down Long Lane where he met and dealt with further resistance. He then turned his main force into Linton High Street and fought his way down the narrow streets and alleys into the Churchyard - where the rebels surrendered after a brief struggle.

The rest - as they say - is history. The Linton rebellion was the last hope for the Colchester garrison who surrendered barely a month later. The Scottish and Welsh risings were crushed in August 1648 and the New Model Army effectively established a military dictatorship. King Charles 1 was executed on 30 January 1649.

Quite apart from the pivotal role that the battle played in the course of the Civil War and sealing Charles' fate, the thought of the hand-to-hand fighting that must have raged down Linton's quiet lanes is quite astounding. It must have been terrifying for the civilian population - let alone the combatants. A chilling echo of today's urban conflicts that play out on our TV news bulletins.

We hope to bring this event alive for a new generation of Lintonians on 3 May. We look forward to seeing you then!

Joe Craig / Jimmy Coates

2008-04-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Has put a link to our book festival on his blog. Find out more about him on http://turkeyonthehill.blogspot.com/

Joe has just had his latest book Jimmy Coates: Survival published here in the UK. I'm not party to the Spymaster / Joe Craig mission collusion happening on 11th May at Linton Village College but I gather it might be worth reading Joe's books if you want to win top prize!

REMINDER - BOOKING DEADLINE

2008-04-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

I hope you have enjoyed the Easter break, and been mulling over who you would like to meet and what you would like to do at the upcoming Linton Children's Bookfestival.

All Linton children have the opportunity to pre-book their tickets for events at the weekend 10-11 May before the general public. The latest your priority booking form should be in is THIS FRIDAY (11th April). Please hand the forms in to your schools.

We will distribute tickets week commencing 14th April and then the public can book tickets from 21st April.

The event is being widely advertised and since the events are FREE we expect some events to be booked up quickly.

Good luck.

Programme and Booklet launch

2008-03-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to say that we have now got our full programme up on the website and, by the skin of our teeth, have got booklets out to children atending Linton Schools on this, the very last day of term!

Linton children will also have received Priority booking forms which must be competed and returned to school in the first week back after the holiday (by Friday 11th April). If you live or go to school in Linton, and you haven't received a form, please contact us.

We hope we have come up with a good range of authors, workshops, music, craft and adventure, and that you enjoy choosing what you would like to do on the 10th and 11th May. Over the Easter holiday if the weather is miserable and wet, why not curl up with a good book? Or.............. start drawing your very own Gruffalo.

Happy Easter.

Chalemina in tow for the Tots

2008-03-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

We've have just had confirmation that Chalemina will be coming to Tots in Tow, Linton Village Hall on Wednesday 7th May.

Thanks to a grant from the Making Music Outreach Programme and in association with Cambridge Summer Recitals, even the really young children will be able to enjoy a special treat in Book Festival week.

This show is aimed at children aged 2 -6. Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and needs help from the young members of the audience if she is ever to find them again.

Miss Muffet (and spider), Peter Piper, the Grand Old Duke of York and all the other familiar characters join in the search. With fabulous costumes, singing, dancing and lots of audience participation this will enthrall your youngest children.

Chalemina perform regularly as part of the "Music 4 Kids" programme at the Cambridge Summer Music Festival and are always very popular. Here in Linton, during Book Festival week you can see them for free! http://www.thorn.demon.co.uk/

Regular attendees at Tots in Tow will have priority booking for the show and then extra spaces will be available to other people after 21st April.

Please also look at http://www.cambridgesummermusic.com/ for other musical treats for both adults and children in Cambridge this Summer.

Andrew Motion at Linton Village College

2008-03-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

It was really exciting to see and meet Andrew Motion at Linton Village College last week. He gave a very interesting talk and charmed the audience with his poetry and stories. We gather he charmed the staff and the students too (according to one Linton Bookfest spy who was present!)

Thanks to those who came to visit our stand. It was our first attempt at publicity and we had lots of books on display written by the authors who will be visiting as well as information about them.

We handed Mr Motion a bookfest bookmark as he was leaving so we are hoping he will be logging onto this website and reading about all the exciting things we have arranged. If you are reading this Andrew, we would love to welcome you back to the village on the 10th - 11th May, and let us entertain you this time!

Stone Girl - Bone Girl

2008-03-08T09:02:00.001-08:00

Following on from the success of Dino-poo at the last book festival, we are delighted to have Linton's very own geologist and palaeontologist Liz Hide, telling the true story of Mary Anning, who became one of the greatest fossil collectors of her time.

Fossils, rocks and dinosaurs are often seen as something which only little boys are interested in. Well please do bring the girls along too! They will be able to see and even handle some of the amazing fossils from from the Sedgwick Museum Cambridge, as well as listen to a facinating story.

Liz will be at Linton Library on Saturday morning 10th May.

Bookfest Brochure is on its way

2008-03-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

With all the details of events and times. We haven't been able to put even HALF of what you can expect from the weekend into the brochure so please do keep an eye on this website for more detailed information.

Calling all Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies and Cubs

2008-03-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

Do you think you have the time
To come and see some nursery rhyme.
The're just old hat I hear you say
But have you heard the Roald Dahl way?
We will make you rock with laughter
And there's no happy ever after!

An invitation from the Linton Theatre Workshop to all Rainbows. Beavers, Brownies and Cubs and their families to an evenings entertainment. The Linton Theatre Workshop will be performing some of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes at your meetings on 7th / 8th May.

Linton Zoo - Gruffalo competition

2008-02-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to say that Linton Zoo will be offering prizes for the best "fantasy animal" illustrations. So please start thinking about sort of "Gruffalo" you'd like to see......and indeed what you would like call it.

Top prize will be sponsorship of an animal and the zoo are generously offering several family tickets as prizes for the best illustrations. All illustrations will be on display at the weekend.

Winning illustrations will be printed out as bookmarks by "Biddles Limited", professional book printers, who will be attending the book festival on Saturday 10th May.

Templates will be available on the website and through the schools in due course. Keep logging into the blog for further details.

Andrew Motion comes to Linton on 5 March

2008-02-26T12:53:00.001-08:00

Poet Laureate Andrew Motion is coming to Linton next week. He will be reading from his works, and this will be followed by a question and answer session.

Where: Linton Village College
When: 5 March 2008, at 2.00pm
Cost: Tickets £3.00 (open to all)
Tickets available on the door and in advance.
Tel: 01223 891233 to book or for more information.

We will be running an information stall about our Festival so we very much look forward to meeting you there.

Garden Storytimes

2008-02-26T01:14:00.000-08:00

Garden storytimes, organised and arranged by members of the Linton Gardening Club were a huge success in 2006. We are very pleased to announce they will be making a welcome return in 2008. On Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May, children will be invited to come and listen to a story after school in local gardens.

In 2006 we searched for insect stickers and made bookmarks after listening to 'Garden poems', made butterflies with sweet wrappers after listening to Katie the Caterpillar, and stomped around the garden searching for a Gruffalo.

The stories for 2008 have not yet been revealed......but keep your eye on this blog for further details.

And, keep your fingers crossed for the same beautiful weather as last time!

Independent's Top Ten Books for Teenagers

2008-02-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Published less than 3 weeks ago in February 2008 includes "Jimmy Coates: Sabotage", by Joe Craig. As Joe Craig points out in his blog http://turkeyonthehill.blogspot.com/ it is there nestled gently between Malorie Blackman and Siobhan Dowd, mingling with Dodie Smith, Anthony Horowitz, Jacqueline Wilson, Stella Gibbons and George Orwell.

Congratulations Joe!

Find out more at www.independent.co.uk/best

Joe's blog is really fun to follow and you can meet the author himself on Sunday 11th May at Linton Village College.

Axel Scheffler

2008-02-18T23:17:00.000-08:00

We are absolutely delighted to confirm that Axel Scheffler – the illustrator of the Gruffalo books (and many others) has said he will come to our book festival on Saturday 10th May. We have been on tenterhooks after an initial discussion at the end of last year and then silence for a while.

Axel Scheffler was born in 1957 in Hamburg, Germany. At school, although always good at art, he never really considered a career in illustration. He began a course in History of Art in Hamburg and then moved to England to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art where he acheived a first class degree.

Axel has achieved worldwide acclaim for his humorous illustrations, and his books have been translated into over 29 languages. He has enjoyed particular success in his award-winning picture book collaborations with Julia Donaldson. The Gruffalo, was published in March 1999 and has already become a modern classic, selling more than 2 million copies worldwide and translated into over 20 languages. It was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal, and it won the 1999 Smarties Gold Medal Award for picture books, and the 2000 Blue Peter Award for The Best Book to Read Aloud.

It was followed by Monkey Puzzle, also nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal, and Room on the Broom which was published September 2001, and also won the 2002 Blue Peter Award for The Best Illustrated Book to Read Aloud.

Axel also continues to illustrate for other authors as well, including Ian Whybrow and David Henry Wilson. The Smartest Giant in Town was shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award, and the Snail and the Whale was published to great acclaim and won the 2005 Blue Peter Best Illustrated Book to Read Aloud Award.

But he does other things too, the Christmas before last he designed Gordon Brown's annual Christmas card!

Axel has recently become a Dad so we are particularly thrilled that he is willing to fit us into his busy schedule. Don’t tell the children ............. but we are hoping that the Gruffalo himself will make an appearance in his honour!

For more information on Axel please look at www.gruffalo.com.

Extended bookfestival

2008-02-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

Just to say that we have so much going on that we have decided to extend the Children's Bookfestival dates from 3rd - 11th May. We are going to start off with Garth Collard and a History Walk on 3rd May in the afternoon. Keep it free!

Playgroups - something for you

2008-02-08T04:18:00.000-08:00

We were very keen to do something fo the pre-school children in 2008. So, Cindy Falkner who works at the Alternative Therapy Health Centre in Linton will be going into Chestnut Playgroup and Granta Playgroup to "Dance - a - Story" on Tuesday 6th May. She will be leading a session for 3-5 year olds which involve the children entering the world of imagination through mime, movement and dance. It all sounds very exciting.

Deborah Chancellor

2008-02-08T04:15:00.001-08:00

Deborah Chancellor, is a prolific and versatile non-fiction writer, whose work ranges from Kingfisher's First Picture Atlas to Barrington Stoke's Escape from Colditz to the Dorling Kindersley Children's Everyday Bible. Just look up all that she has done on the internet!

On Sunday 11th May Deborah will explain how her work develops from an idea to a finished book. She will lead a writing workshop for 9-14 year-olds, focusing on how to plan and produce eye-catching non-fiction.

There will only be 10 places on this workshop so if your child is keen – you’d better be quick in booking a place.

Sophie Smiley

2008-01-24T03:13:00.000-08:00

What a lovely name!

We are looking forward to meeting Sophie Smiley and excited that she is going to be part of our Linton Children’s Bookfestival.

Sophie was born in a Dominican monastery near Cambridge - she says she had a very happy childhood surrounded by Fra Angelicos and Ethopian priests! She now teaches English and is also a staff member of Forest School Camps, working with both the able and those with learning difficulties. She is married, and has two sons. They all live in Cambridge.

As well as non- fiction, Sophie’s writes books for younger children and tells stories of a family with a Down’s Syndrome child.

Her books include:

Team Trouble
Man of the Match
Bobby, Charlton And The Mountain

Sophie will be reading from her books and answering questions on Saturday 10th May.

Spymaster

2008-01-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

Since there are so many children’s books about spies and adventure, and since Joe Craig writes about such things, we thought we’d see if the children would like a real hands on experience.

And who better to advise us than the Spymaster himself? Bob Richardson started writing “missions” for his children 8 years ago and they became so popular he began writing for other people’s children. He now has an activity centre in Bar Hill, Cambridge, where teams of spies have to decipher codes and collect top secret information in order to free the world!

To see for yourself please look at the website: http://www.spymasters.co.uk/

We are very excited that Bob has agreed to set up a mission in Linton Village College on Sunday 11th May where you and your team will have to return to the spymaster the answers to a series of puzzles that will take you all over the college. As you might expect some of the puzzles will have a literary feel and it will be worth your while reading the books of the authors taking part in the book festival!

The mission briefing will be in the Pegasus Room and teams will set off 10 minutes apart. You will need to keep your wits about you and observe your surroundings carefully – just like a real spy.

The winning team will receive prizes galore and everyone will get a Spymaster pen and notepad.

Fairyland Trust

2008-01-14T02:45:00.000-08:00

Fairyland Trust Workshop - waiting for the Wand Makers

When we asked what they wanted to see in this year’s Book Festival, one of the things the children wanted was some magic. Lots of children’s stories are written about dragons, castles, kings and queens and fairies and it’s a great way to stimulate a child’s imagination. Some parents have mentioned to us the Rainbow Magic Fairy series and the lovely pop-up books by Maggie Bateson and Louise Comfort.

Once upon a time the countryside was ancient, magical and natural. Today agribusiness and development have robbed our children of this inheritance. The Fairyland Trust exists to turn back this tide of destruction, rekindle ancient countryside and re-create habitats and make the land fit for fairies again.

Well, what could be more magical that some visitors from the Fairyland Trust?

We have managed to persuade some people in the know to come and tell us magical stories, and then run a workshop. The emphasis in on the magical aspect and will appeal to boys as well as girls. We have a choice of making wands, wings, animal shields, crowns, gardens, lanterns, potions and jewels, even dragons.

What would your children like to do?

Please look at the Fairyland Trust website www.fairylandtrust.org and let us know.

Tony Mitton

2008-01-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

During the course of planning this festival TONY MITTON’s name has come up several times. Tony lives in Cambridge with his wife and two children. He gives performances as a children's poet and picture-book writer in primary schools, libraries and at literary festival, and it seemed silly not to involve such local talent.

Lazy little alligator

lying in my lap,

let me sit and stroke you

as you take a little nap.

Hungry little alligator

waking in my lap,

wonder what's for breakfast:

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

Tony was born in Tripoli, North Africa and spent his childhood in Africa, Germany and Hong Kong. After graduating from Cambridge University, he trained as an English teacher, but went on to work instead as a primary school teacher. He has now given up teaching to concentrate entirely on being a children's poet and storywriter.

He is a prolific writer of poems, stories and picture books for children. His raps series (rhymes which retell well-known stories and myths in a highly original way) are popular with adults and children alike. His Royal Raps won the 1997 Nottinghamshire Libraries/Dillons Children's Book Award. Scholastic published Tony Mitton's first poetry anthology Plum, The Seal Hunter part of the Everystory series of stories and most recently The Red & White Spotted Handkerchief which has won a silver award at the 2000 Nestle Smarties Book Prize

Tony only began writing for children around the age of 40. We are really excited to have him come to the Infant School on Saturday 10th May……. with his hat.

Here’s my hat.

It holds my head,

the thoughts I’ve had

and the things I’ve read.

It keeps out the wind.

It keeps off the rain.

It hugs my hair

and warms my brain.

There’s me below it,

the sky above it.

It’s my lid.

And I love it.

Joe Craig

2008-01-03T01:06:00.000-08:00

We are really thrilled to have got JOE CRAIG to come to our next Linton Children’s bookfest. Joe writes stories about a boy called Jimmy Coates which are aimed at children aged 8 and above.

The books are action thrillers of the same genre as the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, but with a slight sci-fi twist and the series consists of:

Jimmy Coates: Killer (March 2005)
Jimmy Coates: Target (May 2006)
Jimmy Coates: Revenge (January 2007)
Jimmy Coates: Sabotage (October 2007)
Jimmy Coates: Survival (due April 2008)

Shortly after the UK publication, Craig's first book was released in the United States under the title Jimmy Coates: Assassin It was a finalist for the 2006 Manchester Book Award, and won the Bolton Children's Book Award 2006.

Joe contacted us in 2006 as he liked the sound of our small friendly bookfestival and has Cambridge connections, having studied philosophy at Emmanuel College and written for the Cambridge Footlights. Indeed, he named a character in his first book after nearby Saffron Walden.

However, since then Joe’s books have become increasingly admired. In May 2007 the third book in the Jimmy Coates series was included on the Government's 'Boys into Books' list of all the best books that boys will enjoy, according to the School Libraries Association, and you just have to check out the reviews on Amazon to see how popular they are. So, we feel extremely lucky that Joe, with all his other commitments, is still able and willing to come to Linton.

Joe does high-energy and highly interactive workshops on story-writing, and although we haven’t yet talked about what exactly he will be doing in Linton on Sunday 11th May it is sure to be fun. To get us all in the right creative mood we are also hoping to have spy – influenced activities running during the day………. but more on that later.

To find out about the books, and Joe please look at his website, http://www.joecraig.co.uk/, and for those of you who know about such things, you will find him on Facebook and Myspace.com too.

Welcome to the Linton Bookfest Blog!

2007-12-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Linton Bookfest Blog!

The Linton Children's Book Festival will be held on the weekend of the 10/11th May 2008. Following the success of the 2006 event, we are currently putting together another exciting programme of talks, workshops and activities with some well-known authors and illustrators.

As and when we get confirmations of events, we will post details to this blog. Why not bookmark this page - or subscribe to the RSS feed below - to keep abreast of all the latest developments?

Alternatively, you can go to our website http://www.lintonbookfest.org/ for more information.

We are keen to involve all members of the community in the Festival, so please get in touch via info@lintonbookfest.org if you have any suggestions about events, or wish to help - we would love to hear from you!

The Linton Children's Book Festival is funded by the "Awards For All" programme of the National Lottery.