The Edinburgh International Book Festival Outreach Programme

Not everybody can make it to Charlotte Square Gardens in Edinburgh, even with subsidised transport. During the festival season, we take some of the children’s authors and illustrators who do an event in the schools programme out on two school visits. We are thrilled to present our international selection of authors for the Outreach programme in August 2011.

Petr Horáček

Monday 22nd August

Local Authority: Midlothian

Picture book author and artist Petr Horáček was born in Czechoslovakia and trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague before becoming a graphic designer, illustrator and painter. He is the creator of the lovable Suzy Goose character and now lives in Worcestershire with his wife and two daughters. Pupils found out how to write and illustrate their very own Suzy Goose picture book, which they took home and read to their family and friends.

Pupil Feedback

After the event pupils from Stobhill Primary School sent us some brilliant drawings to show how much they enjoyed the event along with a great photo collage of their time with Petr.

Morris Gleitzman

Wednesday 24^th August

Local Authority: Clackmannanshire

Morris Gleitzman talked to pupils about how stories can make us happier, wiser, richer, smarter, kinder, braver, tougher, gentler, healthier, more successful and, just occasionally, better looking. Oh, and how they can write a really good one!

Morris’ bestselling books explore serious and sometimes confrontational subjects in humorous and unexpected ways. They include Two Weeks With The Queen, Grace, Bumface, Give Peas A Chance, Once, Then and Now. Morris lives in Melbourne, Australia and his books are published in more than twenty countries.

Pupil Feedback

My experience when author Morris Gleitzman came to my school was the best thing that every happened to me in my school. Chloe, 13, Alloa Academy

I did enjoy the Morris Gleitzman event. I learned loads of new things and ideas and I think my writing will start getting better. Jessica, 13, Alloa Academy

I quite enjoyed your visit, you are really inspiring, I am going to try and read more, you are also really funny, I am surprised you are not a comedian. Jackie, 12, Alloa Academy

Christiane Dorion

Thursday 25^th August

Local Authority: West Lothian

How did life begin? Where does water come from? What is a carbon footprint? Is the climate changing? Using her pop-up books, Christiane Dorion and pupils explored the earth's natural cycles, the impact of human activity on the planet, how the world works and thought about what we can do to safeguard our future.

Originally from Canada, Christiane has been working in education for sustainable development for the last twenty years. Her passion for writing books stems from the thousands of questions children ask about the world, and in this event she explained the complexity of our planet in an accessible way using humour, pop-up books and experiments.

Pupil Feedback

After the event pupils from Livingston Village Primary School did a project all about how the world works based on what they learnt during Christiane's visit. They sent us some of amazing pictures of what they made.

Have a look at some of 2010's Outreach feedback and pictures!

Have a look at some of the feedback and pictures from Outreach 2009!

If you would like to find out more about the Edinburgh International Book Festival Outreach Programme, please contact chris.newton@scottishbooktrust.com. 

To find out more about the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and to see highlights from previous years, please visit www.edbookfest.co.uk