Janet Smyth: Edinburgh International Book Festival Schools Programme unveiled

Lots of book lovers will already be getting excited about the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival which will take place in August. Unfortunately we still have a while to go before the launch of the programme in June. The RBS Schools Programme however was launched yesterday. Janet Smyth, Children and Education Programme Director, stops by the blog to tell us more.

This year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival RBS Schools Programme features 57 events over the course of 7 days involving 63 authors presenting fiction, non-fiction, mythology, poetry and drama. There’s definitely something for everyone from Julia Donaldson, Emily Gravett and Nick Sharratt for infants to Mal Peet, Malorie Blackman and David Almond for top secondary.

There’s a strong theme of performance in this year’s programme. Julia will be performing a range of her much loved picture books, Nick Sharratt will be joined by actor James Mackenzie, who plays Raven in the CBBC series of the same name, to create stories and pictures, the Pickle Players will present a whole new interpretation of The Canterbury Tales and veteran performance poet, Roger McGough will describing his Imaginery Menagerie.

For older pupils we have Kevin Crossley-Holland with his new Viking saga, Bracelet of Bones, Keith Gray and Julie Bertagna talking about surviving adolescence (or not), Mal Peet and Peter Cocks discussing blow ups whilst Theresa Breslin and Karen Campbell will explore sectarian violence. This year - in both the school and public programme - is a theme of re-imaginings and rediscovery. 

As part of this thread, Celia Rees will discuss her new novel, Fool’s Gold inspired by Twelfth Night, Johnny O’Brien will be falling through time and thinking alternate futures in Day of Deliverance, Caroline Lawrence will be meeting Mark Twain in the Wild West in her new Western Mysteries series, Tarzan, the legend, returns to take up the mantle of eco-warrior with Andy Briggs and Jamila Gavin re-visits the traditional tales of India.

And, because the Book Festival is international, we have picture book author, Petr Horáček from the Czech Republic, New Zealander Kate de Goldi with her brilliant novel The 10pm Question - starring Frankie who worries about everything - and Australian writer Morris Gleitzman.

Those who like facts can join Michael Cox and find out about wild things to do with woodlice or how to make maths less murderous with Kjartan Poskitt, or the secret to drawing horrible science with Tony de Saulles, or have really big questions about space and time answered by Mark Brake or learn all about the earth’s natural cycles with Christiane Dorion.

Add to this magician Tricky Ricky, Dr Recommenda Book and many other activities and treats on Schools Gala Day on 30th August and there is most definitely something for all tastes and all ages. So, check out the full programme and we very much look forward to seeing you in August.

School booking opens on Wednesday 27th April.

Other News

For the EIBF Outreach programme we're taking Petr Horacek, Christianne Dorion and Morris Gleitzman to schools in Midlothian, West Lothian and Clackmannanshire. You can find out more details and apply for events on our Outreach page.

Authors Live with James Mayhew is taking place on Thursday 12th May at 11am. Register to watch now.

Also, enter our competition to win an art set on www.facebook.com/meetourauthors