The Blackburn author’s children’s literature festival is back for 2022

This is the fourth festival to be held in Blackburn with Darwen and was started by author Christina Gabbitas, who believes in instilling an interest and love of books in young children.

Blackburn and Darwen Children’s Literature Festival

The festival director, founder and patron of Blackburn with Darwen Libraries said: “We are all delighted to meet the children ‘in person’ again.

“We held a full virtual festival in 2020 which was a huge success, reaching over 3,000 children and families, but nothing can replace the interaction of meeting in person.

“I am very grateful to Darwen Rotary, Lloyd Trust, Darwen Town Council, Blackburn BID and Adele Karwatt and the staff at Blackburn with Darwen Library.”

There are over 350 literature festivals in the UK, but less than ten percent focus on children.

A 2016 report found that among countries in the “developed world”, the UK ranks at the bottom of a table of literacy levels for 16-19 year olds.

This is one of the reasons why the festival was started and it aims to inspire young people to participate in literature to improve their abilities and skills.

Throughout the week, literature and arts professionals will lead sessions for children.

On Wednesday, October 5, author Michael Bradley, who is one of the festival’s patrons, will talk about his book Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone at an open event.

He said: “I’m proud to support Christina’s mission with Literature Festivals, it’s important that our children and families in our communities feel included and valued.”

Authors Serena Patel, Dan Worsley, Donavan Christopher, BBTaylor, illustrator Steve Weatherill and Christina Gabbitas will host interactive read-aloud sessions in the Carnegie Darwen Library and Blackburn Central Library.

Save Our Planet Initiative

In addition to promoting the benefits and importance of literature, Christina will lead an initiative with Blackburn with Darwen Libraries and CILIP Greener Libraries to engage children in the Save Our Planet initiative.

Children in Blackburn with Darwen are asked to create a paragraph, produce a poem, story or illustration about our environment, what they think about everything from plastic pollution to pollination and what we can do to help.

The competition will run until October 20 with a selection of works on display in Blackburn with the borough’s Darwen Libraries. The winner will receive a £50 token and a selection of books.

Adele Karwatt, Head of Blackburn Libraries with Darwen, said: “We are so delighted to be working with Christina, our patron for children and young people, on the festival and this great initiative to help promote greener spaces and educate. our communities on issues that affect our environment. ”

The festival will take place during Library Week which runs from Tuesday October 4th to Saturday October 8th.

You can find out more about Blackburn with Darwen’s Children’s Literature Festival here https://www.childrensliteraturefestivals.com/blackburn-childrens-literature-festival/.