Best known for being the longest-serving female presenter of Blue Peter and for co-writing an episode of the highly acclaimed series Black Mirror, the writer and television presenter will be hosting an event at the Jersey Opera House based on her new children’s book, Cookie!
The event will feature live draw-alongs, brain-busting quizzes and games galore.
Also appearing is world history author Christopher Lloyd, whose event, Absolutely Everything – A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention!, promises an entertaining journey across millennia and continents, and will feature a 25-foot physical timeline.
Winner of the prestigious Queen of Teen award and one of the UK’s top-selling children’s authors, young adult fiction author Cathy Cassidy will be discussing her new book, Sami’s Silver Lining, while poet A.F. Harrold returns to the festival after a barnstorming performance in 2016.
Key Stage Five students will attend a talk at Highlands College by author Yasmin Rahman, whose new novel, All the Things We Never Said, explores the themes of anxiety and depression, and features three female protagonists who enter into a suicide pact.
Completing the line-up for the schools programme will be Laura Coryton, leader of the international campaign against tampon tax, whose book Speak Up! explores what it means to stand up for what you believe in, on both a public and personal level.
‘We are thrilled to once again be sponsors of the Jersey Festival of Words Schools Programme,’ said James Pountney, managing director of Santander International.
‘It is such a fantastic event to be involved in, as reading is such an important skill for children to develop and it provides endless hours of fun and entertainment.’
Tickets to each event are free, and teachers wishing to book seats for their classes on either 26 or 27 September are asked to email info@jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
‘As with previous years, children will have the chance to meet the author and have their books signed after each show,’ said festival vice-chairman Paul Bisson.
‘We’re delighted with this year’s schools programme and look forward to welcoming thousands of happy young readers to the festival.’
This will be the fifth staging of the Jersey Festival of Words, which will take place between 25 and 29 September. As ever, the five-day festival will feature talks and events by visiting and local writers, as well as writing competitions and workshops.
Sir Michael Parkinson, one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters, has already been booked to appear at the festival, with his event scheduled for Friday 27 September at the Jersey Opera House.
