Actor, star of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, as well as highly successful children’s author, David Walliams, is Marlborough LitFest’s children’s author for 2018 – a star attraction for the festival’s ninth year (27-30 September).
It’s certainly a date for diaries: he will be appearing on Sunday, September 30 at 3pm at the Memorial Hall at Marlborough College. As part of tenth anniversary celebrations of his book The Boy in the Dress, David Walliams will talk at LitFest about all his books written in the last 10 years, including Gangsta Granny and Mr Stink.
The biggest selling children’s author to have started writing since 2000, Walliams has been compared to Roald Dahl and his books have been translated into over 46 languages, sold over 8 million copies worldwide as well as being made into films and audio books.
Best known for his children’s novels, he has also collaborated with celebrated British illustrators, Quentin Blake and Tony Ross and his latest venture is the forthcoming stage musical show of The Boy in the Dress, with music by Robbie Williams. This Marlborough LitFest event is sponsored by St Francis School, Marlborough College and Brewin Dolphin.
Louise Tinker of the Marlborough LitFest said: “We are delighted that David Walliams will be appearing this year as Marlborough will get to hear first-hand about his phenomenal success as a children’s author. LitFest, once again, has a packed programme of children’s events with local authors and award-winning story tellers taking part.”
The complete LitFest programme will be available on July 11, when the Box Office opens. Tickets for the David Walliams talk will be £5.
LitFest aims to bring the best of good writing to Marlborough, with nearly 40 events during the festival weekend. The children’s programme for 2018 includes a variety of events for all ages, to help stimulate a passion for reading amongst local younger readers:
Big School Read on Thursday, September 27 at 11.15am at St John’s School. Pupils have been invited from Pewsey Vale School, St Francis, John O’Gaunt’s, Hungerford and St John’s School. Tamsyn Murray is speaking about her book Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart. It recounts the tale of a boy with a donor heart – his friendships and growing up.
Tamsyn’s previous books include Completely Cassidy and Tanglewood Animal Park series. Her My so-Called Afterlife won Highly Commended in the Teenage Booktrust Prize. She has been a primary school teacher and enjoys acting.
The Big School Read is being sponsored for the first time this year by marlborough.news
Pop-up Street Theatre on Thursday, September 27 in Marlborough High Street at 11am involving local primary schools – this follows last year’s very imaginative Where the Wild Things Are ‘flash mob’.
Dyslexia Association’s cartoonist workshop in Marlborough Library on Saturday, September 29, 2.30-4pm.
Primary School talks on Friday, September 28 in Marlborough Town Hall: Ross Montgomery talking about his latest book Max and the Millions – a story about a deaf boy who stumbles upon a miniature kingdom at school and how he handles such an extraordinary situation. Ross is a former primary school teacher. He has been shortlisted for the Costa Book Award and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and Branford Boase awards. Two audiences of about 180 primary school children (Years 5 and 6) are invited from local primary schools. These talks are sponsored for the first time by The Hamilton Trust.
Debi Evans on Saturday, September 29 in The White Horse Bookshop at 3pm. This local author will be talking about her latest book The Adventures of Rolo – Jewel Dog and the Dragons. Rolo is her Jack Russell terrier who time-travels throughout history. Her illustrator, Chantal Bourgoyne will also be there. Tickets £5. Primary Schools Pop-Up Book Making competition, sponsored this year by Haine and Smith opticians. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded their prize by Haine and Smith straight after Debi Evans’ talk.
Free Under 5’s Storytelling sessions at Marlborough Library and The White Horse Bookshop during the Festival weekend.