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Workshops & Performances

A series of workshops and performances by award winning authors and illustrators

Monday 30 January

  • Celebrating Poems
    Celebrating Poems
    Mon, 30 Jan
    Station Hall
    30 Jan, 16:00 – 16:45
    Station Hall
    Celebrating the works of Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho, our team of festival writers will run a fun and creative interactive session for children to explore what makes a wonderful poem - and have a go at inventing their own! AGES 4+

Wednesday 1 February

  • THIAGO DE MORAES - History Atlas
    THIAGO DE MORAES - History Atlas
    Wed, 01 Feb
    Station Hall
    01 Feb, 16:00 – 17:00
    Station Hall
    Prepare to embark on a tour through time. But this is no ordinary atlas. The maps in History Atlas are packed with kings, queens, heroes, villains, inventors, artists & explorers! With quirky facts, astonishing characters & compelling stories, this is history at its most entertaining. AGES 6+

Thursday 2 February

  • SIMON JAMES GREEN - Boy Like Me - EXCLUSIVE reading!
    SIMON JAMES GREEN - Boy Like Me - EXCLUSIVE reading!
    Thu, 02 Feb
    Virtual Event
    02 Feb, 19:00 – 20:00
    Virtual Event
    Simon will read EXCLUSIVELY from his yet-to-be published, new YA novel, BOY LIKE ME! Also expect goofy, histrionic fun exploring Simon's landmark novels about teens at their worst - and best! Fun & high energy with lots of comedy anecdotes, this is the perfect event for celebrating equality. AGES 13
  • FRANN PRESTON-GANNON - I Want The Moon
    FRANN PRESTON-GANNON - I Want The Moon
    Thu, 02 Feb
    Station Hall
    02 Feb, 16:00 – 17:00
    Station Hall
    Join award-winning author and illustrator Frann Preston-Gannon for a fun-filled storytime and craft workshop. Frann will be reading from her picture books including her latest book, I Want The Moon, playing drawing games and helping children make their very own Moon Machines AGES 3+

Friday 3 February

  • Professor Slug's - House of Bugs Theatre Show
    Professor Slug's - House of Bugs Theatre Show
    Fri, 03 Feb
    Station Hall
    03 Feb, 16:00 – 17:00
    Station Hall
    Professor Slug is an eccentric expert on invertebrates who helps bugs out with their buggy problems – and you can too! Get as strong as an ant! Teach a bee how to buzz! And help a dung beetle make a pooey perfume for its big date…A fun theatre show for all ages.

Saturday 4 February

  • THE BFG - Family Film Screening
    THE BFG - Family Film Screening
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 15:30 – 17:30
    Station Hall
    A lonely but precocious 10-year-old girl befriends a mysterious giant & is whisked away to Giant Country. From the imaginations of two of the world's greatest storytellers, Roald Dahl & Steven Spielberg, & with an outstanding performance by Academy Award Winning local actor, Sir Mark Rylance AGE 7+
  • LOUIE STOWELL - Prize presentation for the ‘Stepping Into Stories’ competition
    LOUIE STOWELL - Prize presentation for the ‘Stepping Into Stories’ competition
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 14:45 – 15:45
    Station Hall
    The amazing Louie Stowell will be presenting our competition prizes for 2023! This will follow Louie's Loki session at 14.00 We hope your pupils are excited about submitting their own stories to this year’s competition!
  • LOUIE STOWELL -  Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Taking the Blame
    LOUIE STOWELL -  Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Taking the Blame
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 14:00 – 14:45
    Station Hall
    Join celebrated author and Norse myth superfan, Louie Stowell, in this interactive event to hear all about her bestselling series, Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to…, then discover how to draw Loki and even create your own mischievous Norse gods! Packed full of humour and cool facts. AGES 9+
  • PAUL LYALLS - A Funny Thing Happened
    PAUL LYALLS - A Funny Thing Happened
    Sat, 04 Feb
    198 Contemporary Arts And Learning
    04 Feb, 13:00 – 13:45
    198 Contemporary Arts And Learning
    Immerse yourself in a world of brilliantly funny poems and stories with one time poet in residence for The Roald Dahl Museum, Paul Lyalls. Expect a dazzling show of humour and fun not to be missed! Ages 5 to 105!
  • GARETH P JONES  - Rabunzel
    GARETH P JONES  - Rabunzel
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 13:00 – 13:45
    Station Hall
    Meet the author of the Fairy Tales for the Fearless series for some musical mayhem based on his picture books Rabunzel, CinderGorilla and Snowy White! With live drawing and live music, you’ll sing, shout, rap and learn how to LET DOWN YOUR EARS in this hilarious and unique event. AGES 4+
  • ALEX FALASE-KOYA - Marv The Superhero
    ALEX FALASE-KOYA - Marv The Superhero
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 12:00 – 12:45
    Station Hall
    Jump on board for a super-powered, super-fun introduction to Marv – the newest superhero in town. Hear about Alex’s own favourite superheros before helping him design a brand new supersuit for your own superhero. With a reading from the brand new Marv and the Blizzard Zone. AGES 5+
  • FRANCES DURKIN - The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure
    FRANCES DURKIN - The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure
    Sat, 04 Feb
    198 Contemporary Arts And Learning
    04 Feb, 11:00 – 11:45
    198 Contemporary Arts And Learning
    Join Frances Durkin, historian and author of the award-winning Histronauts book series, in this entertaining session that invites children to engage with the history of ancient Greece through storytelling, fun facts and activities. AGES 7+
  • LUCY REYNOLDS & JENNA HERMAN- We Are Family
    LUCY REYNOLDS & JENNA HERMAN- We Are Family
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 11:00 – 11:45
    Station Hall, Station Hall
    There are billions of creatures on earth, but there is only one YOU! Join Lucy & Jenna for a high energy, interactive event exploring the different ways young grow up on our planet & the journey we all take to find our true place in the world. Complete with yucky poo facts! AGES 4+ and all welcome!
  •  STEVE ANTONY -  Wash Your Hands Mr Panda
     STEVE ANTONY -  Wash Your Hands Mr Panda
    Sat, 04 Feb
    Station Hall
    04 Feb, 10:00 – 10:45
    Station Hall
    Meet Mr Panda and all of his animal friends in this fun, interactive drawing and story session with bestselling children's author and illustrator, Steve Antony. Perfect for little pandas who like to draw! AGES 4+

Sunday 5 February

  • LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN MBE  - Story Time With Laura
    LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN MBE  - Story Time With Laura
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Station Hall
    05 Feb, 15:00 – 15:45
    Station Hall
    Much loved storyteller & creator of the JoJo and Gran Gran characters that inspired the CBeebies series of the same name, Laura Henry-Allain will be reading from her children’s books, answering questions and leading an interactive exploration of how we can be the best version of ourselves. AGES 4+
  • PATRICE LAWRENCE - The Elemental Detectives
    PATRICE LAWRENCE - The Elemental Detectives
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Station Hall
    05 Feb, 13:00 – 13:45
    Station Hall, Railton Rd, London SE24 0JW, UK
    It's 1764. London is struck by a sudden sleeping sickness. The Elemental Detectives must overcome a riddling dragon, a plague monster and more to save the city. Want to hear more? Come armed with questions about the London monsters you want to create. AGES 9+
  • LEIF BERSWEDEN - Where The Wildflowers Grow
    LEIF BERSWEDEN - Where The Wildflowers Grow
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Brockwell Park Greenhouses
    05 Feb, 13:00 – 13:45
    Brockwell Park Greenhouses, BPCG, Brockwell Hall, Brockwell Park, London SE24 9BJ, UK
    Step into a world of wild flower power! Discover carnivorous plants and climbers, poison predators and puppeteers, and fascinating botanical facts with adventuring botanist Leif Bersweden. And come ready to design your own marvellous botanical creations… AGES 5+
  • CERRIE BURNELL - Wilder Than Midnight
    CERRIE BURNELL - Wilder Than Midnight
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Station Hall
    05 Feb, 12:00 – 12:45
    Station Hall
    Much loved former CBeebies star Cerrie Burnell Will give a magical introduction to ‘Wilder Than Midnight’, exploring how fairy tales are made, developing your own fairy tale writing; and giving the chance to ask one of TV’s most visible children’s presenters all your burning questions! AGES 9+
  • PATRICE LAWRENCE - Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush
    PATRICE LAWRENCE - Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush
    Sun, 05 Feb
    198 Contemporary Arts and Learning
    05 Feb, 11:00 – 11:45
    198 Contemporary Arts and Learning , 198 Railton Rd, London SE24 0JT, UK
    Ava has to dress up for her school assembly but she doesn't know who to be. Come and hear the inspiring story of Ava's grandma who came to England on the Empire Windrush boat. Story-telling plus an art activity. AGES 4+
  • SAM SEDGMAN - Adventures On Trains
    SAM SEDGMAN - Adventures On Trains
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Station Hall
    05 Feb, 11:00 – 11:45
    Station Hall, Above Herne Hill Station, Railton Rd, London SE24 0JW, UK
    Jump on the footplate and join Sam Sedgman for a steam-powered exploration of his latest adventure, The Arctic Railway Assassin. Discover how Sam and co-author, M. G. Leonard, create the Adventures on Trains series, and hear all about the world's most fascinating railway journeys. AGES 8+
  • KARIN LITTLEWOOD -  Illustration workshop
    KARIN LITTLEWOOD -  Illustration workshop
    Sun, 05 Feb
    198 Contemporary Arts and Learning
    05 Feb, 10:00 – 10:45
    198 Contemporary Arts and Learning , 198 Contemporary Arts And Learning
    Packed with quick and easy drawing techniques, this hands-on illustration workshop is based on one of Karin Littlewood’s best known books, Immi - the story of friendship across the world. AGES 6+
  • JANE PORTER - The Girl Who Noticed Everything
    JANE PORTER - The Girl Who Noticed Everything
    Sun, 05 Feb
    Station Hall
    05 Feb, 10:00 – 10:45
    Station Hall
    Stella can't help spotting things wherever she goes! Find out how her detective skills reunite a colourful old lady with her missing pet. Plus create your own ‘Lost Parrot!’ poster to take home. AGES 3+
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