Young readers are counting down the days until the launch of the 2022 BookTastic children’s book festival which kicks off on Monday 4 July.
For one exciting week, the biggest names in children’s literature will be visiting Bedford to take part in a sensational celebration of young fiction – beginning with visits and live streams to schools across Bedford and beyond, and finishing with a weekend extravaganza at The Place Theatre.
At the heart of the festival is the BookTastic Schools Programme, which aims to inspire avid young fiction fans and encourage reluctant readers by giving them unique access through their schools to some of the most popular authors and illustrators writing for children today.
On Monday 4, Wednesday 6 and Friday 8 July, schools from across the country can tune in to live-streamed readings and talks from bestselling authors including:
Monday 4 July
Michael Mann – Ghostcloud series
Laura Ellen Anderson – Rainbow Grey series
Wednesday 6 July
Louie Stowell – Loki – A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good
Jamie Smarts – Bunny vs Monkey series
Friday 8 July
Zanib Mian – Planet Omar: Ultimate Rocket Blast
Ross Montgomery – The Chime Seekers
Live readings
On Tuesday 5 and Thursday 7 July, two primary schools in Bedford will play host to live, in-person readings from four fantastic children’s authors and the BookTastic Festival warmly invites any other local schools who would like to attend to join them for these exclusive events.
On the morning of Tuesday 5th July, Putnoe Primary School will welcome Tolá Okogwo who will read from her smash hit superhero novel Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun which is soon to be released as a film on Netflix.
In the afternoon, Sophy Henn will continue the superhero theme, taking to the stage to share extracts from the latest book in her fan favourite series Pizazz Vs The Demons.
On Thursday 7 July, the BookTastic festival will move to Scott Primary School and will host live readings from award-winning writer Vashti Hardy, author of the bestselling Brightstorm series. Vashti will read from the latest book in her Harley Hitch series – Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon.
Then in the afternoon, new writer on the block AF Steadman will read from her hotly anticipated debut novel Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
Schools can have access to all events via livestream for just £50 per school, or attend the live events for £7 per person. If schools want to buy full BookTastic Festival tickets for in-person and live stream events, the livestream license will reduce to just £25 per school. Financial assistance is also available for local schools from The Harpur Trust, see the BookTastic website for full details.
All registered schools, whether attending in-person or via livestream will receive an accompanying Festival Resource Pack, containing fun and engaging classroom activities to support literacy lessons.
To find out more, to register your school for a livestream licence or to book tickets, email festival@booktastic.org.uk or visit booktastic.org.uk
