Young Readers Schools Programme 2011
Young Readers Birmingham is an annual book festival for children and young people.
The schools programme is open to all local schools and home educated children.
The next schools programme will be in May 2012. The programme below took place in 2011 and are listed to give you a taster of the sort of events on offer each year.
If you have any queries, please contact Gena Gaynor on 0121 303 3368. Email: gena.gaynor@birmingham.gov.uk
Di Toft
When his new dog suddenly turns into a boy Nat discovers that Woody is the last descendent of a noble shape-shifting tribe. Soon Woody is in danger from the evil Dr Gruber, who plans to use werewolves as military weapons. Di Toft will be talking about the inspirations and influences for her Wolven series, including her own gigantic dog Dave!
Suitable for year 6
Monday 23 May
NR2 Northfield Library, 10.30am-11.30am (60 children or 2 classes)
SN1 South Yardley Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Supported by Chicken House
www.doublecluck.com/authors/di-toft
Debbie Guneratne
International storyteller Debbie Guneratne has broadcast on the BBC World Service and led educational workshops for the Royal National Theatre. Join her for an exciting, interactive workshop using name and memory games, vocabulary tricks and visualisation techniques. A great opportunity for children to have fun creating their own unique tales inspired by traditional story structures.
Suitable for years 4 and 5
Monday 23 May
SR1 Spring Hill Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
SP1 Sparkhill Library, 1.45pm- 2.45pm (30 children or 1 class)
Alex Milway
Meet the illustrator and author of the extraordinarily successful Mousehunter trilogy, a tale of strange lands populated by bloodsucking mice, deep sea mice and… great fanged mice. Alex starts by getting the children to draw and create characters (often mice!) and talks to them about the writing process. Find out just how he comes up with his bizarre ideas.
Suitable for years 4 and 5
Monday 23 May
CFC1 Centre for the Child in Central Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
ST1 Stirchley Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Supported by Faber
www.faber.co.uk/author/alex-milway
Steve Tasane - Rhythm and Maths
With his madcap poems about bananas, football and nasty (and nice) teachers, Steve Tasane’s special blend of tongue-twisting, funk-rapping, pop poetry has earned him appearances on BBC1, Channel 4 and Radio 1. A long-term mentor for young slam poets, Steve uses rhythm and rhyme, games and performance to build up a musical understanding of maths.
Suitable for years 4 and 5
Monday 23 May
Y1 Yardley Wood Library, 10.30am-11.30am (60 children or 2 classes)
CFC2 Centre for the Child in Central Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Ian Beck
Tom Trueheart’s brothers save maidens and fight dragons to create exciting tales for the Story Bureau. But when they disappear in the Land of Myths and Legends, Tom has to follow their trail and perform a daring rescue himself. Featuring the Minotaur, a Norse dragon and the terrifying Cyclops, Ian Beck’s books breathe new life into the retelling of traditional stories.
Suitable for years 5 and 6
Tuesday 24 May
Q1 Quinton Library, 10.30am-11.30am (60 children or 2 classes)
KH1 Kings Heath Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Supported by Oxford University Press
Ruth Walton
Find out when writing was invented, how paper is created and how books were made in the past. Examine some interesting artefacts and have fun making your own book using recycled materials. Ruth Walton is the author of the Let’s Find Out series of books developed with science key stage 2 of the National Curriculum in mind.
Suitable for years 3 and 4
Tuesday 24 May
KE1 Kents Moat Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
KS1 Kingstanding Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (50 children or 2 classes)
Supported by Franklin Watts
Elen Caldecott
Elen Caldecott’s books feature ordinary children having extraordinary adventures. Her debut novel How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant also gently deals with issues children may experience in their own lives. Elen’s interactive workshop explores how to write a good story using simple tricks of the trade. An excellent way to make all your children feel like authors.
Suitable for years 5 and 6
Wednesday 25 May
MG1 Mere Green Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
CFC3 Centre for the Child in Central Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Supported by Bloomsbury
Ali Sparkes
Mad scientist Petty Potts has invented a serum that turns people into insects. When Josh and Danny accidentally get squirted they find themselves with eight legs and the ability to shoot webs out of their bottoms! Join in some creepy-crawly fun and games with the author of the S.W.I.T.C.H series and hear how Ali started writing by creating illustrated stories about her friends.
Suitable for years 3 and 4
Wednesday 25 May
BS1 Boldmere Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
G1 Glebe Farm Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (30 children or 1 class)
Supported by Oxford Children’s Books
David Calcutt
Abandoned by his parents, Nathan is being pursued by the shadow-bringer - an ancient creature feeding on his fear and anger. David Calcutt’s stories draw on myths and folk-tales, using the supernatural as metaphor to explore the tricky business of growing up. Through readings and discussions David explores scene-setting, character, quests and other writing techniques.
Suitable for years 5 and 6
Thursday 26 May
WH1 West Heath Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
E2 Erdington Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (30 children or 1 class)
Supported by Oxford University Press
Stewart Ross
From goddess worship to the space race, the moon has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Stewart Ross’s fascinating book looks at the moon’s appeal to astronomers, artists, musicians, film-makers and werewolves! A successful author on topics ranging from slavery to Henry VIII, Stewart will provide tips on how children can develop their writing.
Suitable for year 6
Thursday 26 May
CFC4 Centre for the Child in Central Library, 10.30am-11.30am (60 children or 2 classes)
AG1 Acocks Green Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (30 children or 1 class)
Supported by Oxford University Press
Alan Durant
Bring out the writer in your children! Author Alan Durant will be sharing some of his football themed stories and encouraging the children to use their individual experiences and interests to create tales of their own. A great motivator even for the most reluctant readers. Fun and inspirational!
Suitable for years 4 and 5
Friday 27 May
T1 Tower Hill Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
SE1 Shard End Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (60 children or 2 classes)
Constance Bell
Join poet, storyteller and singer Constance Bell for a journey across the globe. Using music, dance and visuals, Constance encourages children to visit different times and places using the power of their imagination. Embracing everything from Irish folk tales to the legends of the ancient Americas this is sure to be a dynamic and engaging session.
Suitable for years 3 and 4
Friday 27 May
BM1 Bloomsbury Library, 10.30am-11.30am (30 children or 1 class)
CFC5 Centre for the Child in Central Library, 1.45pm-2.45pm (30 children or 1 class)
Supported by Apples and Snakes
www.applesandsnakes.org.uk/page/84/Constance+Bell/367
More events
Theatre events for Key Stages 1 and 2
Events for Key Stage 2 children with special needs