BookTastic, Bedford’s annual children’s book festival, returns for its ninth year this July, and after two years ‘online’ the organisers are thrilled to be back in person, bringing a wealth of authors and illustrators to our town.
Their week-long programme is their biggest yet, with more opportunities than ever to see your favourite books brought to life and to meet inspirational writers and artists.
Starting on Monday 4 July, the festival kicks off with a week-long series of school events,
with a mixture of virtual sessions beamed live into classrooms across Bedford (and beyond) as well as two days of live, in-person events that will be hosted by two schools in the town.
On Tuesday 5 July, Putnoe Primary will be the venue for two exciting events – not only will they play host to Sophy Henn, author of comic book series Pizazz, but BookTastic are incredibly excited to welcome author Tọlá Okogwu and her incredible new book, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.
Onyeka and The Academy of the Sun follows 12-year-old British-Nigerian girl Onyeka who discovers that her hair has psychokinetic powers. She is taken from London to a futuristic Nigeria, where she can train at the Academy of the Sun—a school where the Solari are taught to harness their powers and use them to protect their country.
It is currently being adapted as a Netfilx movie, produced by Will Smith and David Oyelowo.
On Thursday 7 July the action moves to Scott Primary, with the return of festival favourite Vashti Hardy (Brightstorm, Wildspark, Crowfall) and her hit series Harley Hitch.
She will be joined by another big hitter for 2022, AF Steadman, and the soon-to-be Sony Pictures film Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
Last but definitely not least, there is the family weekend festival, hosted once again by The Place Theatre on Bradgate Road with a programme packed with some of the biggest names in children’s literature.
Watch this space for full details coming up, as Bedford Independent is the official media
partner for BookTastic 2022, so we’ll be bringing you all the details first.
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