A CHILD EYE’S VIEW (CHAPTER TWO) - MARCH 18 - 4.37PM - 2019

Family Events Oxford Literary Festival 2019

So here it is, the eagerly anticipated sequel to what families (grandparents included of course) can look forward to at this year’s festival. Over its second weekend (Sat 6 April - Sunday 7 April) the festival is laying on a whole smorgasbord of events and talks for those both just discovering the thrill of reading and those who think the ‘Famous Five’ are just “so last year...”. Stepping up to the plate first is author Robin Stevens of the ‘Murder most Unladylike’ series (Sat 6 April, 10.00am) and such is the following of the Wells and Wong Detective series it’s having to be staged in the Sheldonian. And not only will its author talk about the duo’s latest crime-busting escapade ‘Death in The Spotlight’ but also encourage the audience to do some sleuthing for themselves. At the same time and just across the road at the Oxford Martin School there’s Kate Pankhurst’s ‘Fantastically Great Women Who Worked Wonders’ (Sat 6 April, 10.00am). Obviously a terrifically topical rallying cry for all children, there’s drawing, dressing up, and lots and lots of irresistible inspiration. If Moomins are your thing, then Liz Fost’s ‘Moomin Story and Crafts’ is a must (Sat 6 April, 11.00am) but for Superhero enthusiasts it has to be David Solomons’ ‘Superheroes Special’ (Sat 6 April, 12.00 noon). With so many young people now environmentally conscious, Isabel Thomas’ ‘This Book is Not Rubbish’ (Sat 6 April, 12 noon) is a must, enabling whole families to become brilliantly fearless eco-warriors. From the bizarre secrets of an eco-friendly bathroom to a good reason to enjoy more chips, it’s a perfectly timed rallying cry for our planet. Not to be outdone, Sunday too offers an exciting parade of family favourites kicking off with ‘Ronald Dahl’s Rotsome and Repulsant Words (Sun 7 April, 10.00am) where word wizards Sara-Jane Arbury and Fiona Ross gobblefunk with Roald Dahl’s redunculously rude and rotsome words. Oodles of foulsome fun with wacky word games, mouth manglers, explosive expletives, shouting matches and whizzpopping poppyrot. Phew! At 12.00 noon, in The Sheldonian again, there’s ‘A Laureate Celebration’ with children’s favourite Sir Michael Morpurgo and later why not later catch a whiff of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks with his creator Kristina Stephenson. Plus remember there’s a lot lot more...