Shrewsbury Bookfest proves it has the write stuff - with pictures
Six leading authors, the same number of super children’s books and a theatre packed with enthusiastic and well informed young people who do Shrewsbury Bookfest proud.
There were delighted award winners, the Theatre Severn was packed, cheers rang out for every school name on the big screen, the atmosphere was electric.
And all because of books.
What’s more, the overall winner (chosen by the young critics) as well as the other authors, offered a reading from his own book and the excited applause confirmed that the young people knew exactly who they had voted in top place and so the highlight of the occasion brought Kieran Larwood to his feet as the author of The Legend of Podkin One-Ear, big winner on the day.
Just to underline how keen they were on this one, commendations from pupils included Zac Green of Longden CE Primary School who said: “This story made me feel like I can do anything. One of the most exciting stories I have ever read. I was gripped from the beginning.”
Those suggesting that today’s youngsters are so wrapped up with their iPhone, tablets and laptops that they wouldn’t recognise a book if they saw one – unless it was Facebook of course – need to come to Shrewsbury and see just how wrong they are.
Particularly to visit the Book Award ceremony which was such a delight again this past weekend. And which sets the scene beautifully for the 2018 May Festival this incoming weekend. It is incredible that 32 primary schools across Shropshire signed up to be part of the fifth Book Award with almost 1300 pupils aged between nine and eleven actively involved.
This year’s literary special saw a shortlisted six books, chosen by pupils from seven primary schools with almost 1,000 books distributed to all the primary schools involved. While little extras involving talents of youngsters in other competitive ways were great. Like a Film Trailer competition where they promoted a book as if promoting a film which was won by Longden C of E Primary School, an Art Competition supported by the Shrewsbury branch of the Arts Society was won by Cici (correct) Farmer from St Winefride’s School in Shrewsbury with Toby Auckland from St George’s School winning the Letter Competition.
All backed by skilful runners-up and other support. And remember these children are actually very young.
And so to this incoming week and the beginning of the May Festival focussing as it does on what you might call projects through books. It all starts on Saturday (May 5) with a real fun one … a masterclass in doodling at Shrewsbury Baptist Church!
The literary baptism continues with Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers at the Wightman Theatre, Getting hooked on books, the Bookfest Quest in the Square and the Joy of Picture Books at The Hive.
And then … well then, it’s Sunday.
There are Early Man Model Making Workshops at Shropshire Wildlife Trust. A Creative Writing Masterclass at the Baptist church again, the Phoenix Live at the Hive and meeting Elmer the Elephant (pretend) where young visitors are invited to go in their brightest clothes and with a sense of fun!
On Bank Holiday Monday, you can Join the World of Olobob Top as seen on CBeebies with Sir Charlie Stinky Socks. Many of the big dates are especially good for children from aged two upwards.
If the Bookfest 2018 awards day was a tribute to all that Bookfest has achieved over the years with and for hundreds of children in Shropshire, the coming festival promises to be a literary treasure trove with books the winner by far!
Acquire one of the festival programmes which include a venue map, any problems, try www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk for more information.
