Founder of Children's Literature Festivals charity and award-winning author Christina Gabbitas, who has been chosen as one of the 500 Coronation Champions, is working with Oldham's libraries to deliver their first-ever children's Literature festival.
The festival is set to bring hundreds of children and all in our communities into Chadderton Library, Oldham Library, The Bukhari Institute and Chadderton Town Hall to spread a love of reading and books.
The free events are being delivered by the voluntary led charity Children’s Literature Festivals, founded by Christina Gabbitas whose mission is to give children and families from all backgrounds and cultures and opportunity to attend free literature festivals and books. Each child (primary age) who attend the communities day will receive a free book (subject to availability).
On 18 and 19 May, children from primary schools in Chadderton are invited to attend read-aloud interactive sessions with authors, poets, and illustrators. The line-up includes a list of award-winning authors, Andy Seed, Christina Gabbitas, Donavan Christopher (Rappaman) Salma Zaman, Zehra Hicks, debut author HafizaIssa and local Oldham author Allen Lule Pennell.
Children are being invited to take part in the festivals Save Our Planet initiative too, with prizes and an exhibition of work to be displayed in Oldham Libraries. Details can be found here: https://www.childrensliteraturefestivals.com/howarth-childrens-literature-festival/
Saturday 20 May will be Communities Day in the Bukhari Institute, where children can engage with artists who will perform sessions. Bollywood Dance and SEND teacher Salma Zaman, African Peace Poet, Donavan Christopher Award winning author Christina Gabbitas, Blue Peter Book Award winner Andy Seed and Award-Winning illustrator Zehra Hicks.
Donavan Christopher (Rappaman) - African rapping poet Donavan will have you reading aloud and proud with audience participation.
Christina Gabbitas - Reading from - Save Us, addressing the problem of plastic pollution with audience participation. There will also be an opportunity to speak with Christina about her No More Knives County Lines story. Free copies of this will be available on the day.
Salma Zaman - Reading from - Help! I Can't Dance Without my Bhangra Pants and Bollywood Dancing - Get your dancing feet moving!
Hafiza Issa - Reading from Earmuffs To The Moon - A celebration of diversity, an imaginative exploration of the world through the eyes of a child whose superpowers make the universe intensely colourful and vivid.
Allen Lule Pennell will be storytelling from 10.30am to 2pm in Chadderton Library throughout the day and later will be joining at the Bukhari Institute.
Christina Gabbitas is a Coronation Champion
Actress Jenny Agutter OBE, who is patron for the charity, said: "I'm delighted that Christina and the team at Children’s Literature Festivals charity are able to once again bring another literature festival to instil a love of books and reading to the community of Chadderton."
Christina, who has also been working with various Police forces educating children on the topic of county lines and the consequences of carrying knives, said: "I’m very grateful to Oldham Council for investing in the festival and recognising the benefits of promoting a love of reading in our communities. It’s been a great pleasure to witness the enthusiasm of all the Oldham Council team involved in the process.
"I’m absolutely thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen Consort with the Royal Voluntary Service have recognised that my mission is also making huge positive impact with the festivals. The whole weekend in Windsor and the Coronation Concert was spectacular."
Sayyed Osman, Deputy Chief Executive of Oldham Council, said: "Oldham Council are delighted to be involved with Oldham's first Children’s Literature Festival, as giving access to books, knowledge and imagination is so important to improving people’s lives."
Children who attend the communities day will be gifted a free book (subject to availability) gifted by Poems & Pictures Ltd and Children’s Literature Festivals charity.
More information about the festival can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/oldham-childrens-literature-fe/549517567326014/
To book places for the ‘free to attend’ communities day, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oldham-childrens-literature-festival-tickets-615448802937. You can also just turn up on the day too.
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