A new children’s book festival in Biddulph, The Festival of Brilliant, has announced the first of its line-up of authors, illustrators and artists, including Frank Cottrell Boyce and Nadia Shireen.

The festival, which takes place at Biddulph Old Hall on Friday 12 & Saturday 13 July 2024, is being organised by arts programme OUTSIDE and Staffordshire Moorlands librarians working with a group of children and young people, teachers, artists and authors from the district who share a love of reading.

A celebration of how brilliant children’s books are, the festival programme features readings, talks, workshops, performances, installations and activities. Champions of children’s books, writer Frank Cottrell Boyce and author/illustrator Nadia Shireen, who also host the popular podcast about children’s books The Island of Brilliant which inspired the festival, will both be at the event to talk about their books. They will also present a special live recording of the podcast, joined by author/illustrator Steven Lenton, and their resident band Ukelele Uff Trio.

Festival goers are invited to an array of interactive sessions. They can see how easy it is to draw a seafaring elephant with author/illustrator Ed Vere, and discover if they have what it takes to be the hero of their own film with author/director Christopher Edge. Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Book Trust’s writer in residence, will invite festival goers to discover how fascinating factual books can be, and learn about real-life heroes and world changers. Comedian author Samantha Baines will talk about her critically acclaimed children’s books with deaf main characters, and host a fun workshop creating new alien worlds. Poet Jean Atkin will also be on hand offering Poetry on Demand – poems provided to people on request! In addition, the programme showcases local talent including a poetry workshop with headteacher Charlotte Rowley, a talk from author Jenny Spangler, storytelling with Julie Moss and creative sessions with illustrator Ella Kasperowicz.

As well as authors and illustrators, festival goers can enjoy brilliant literary themed performances. Circus theatre company Tit for Tat bring their high energy show BOOKS! featuring acrobatics and fire juggling. Songwriter David Gibb will present a musical adventure, sharing his hilarious songs and stories, and discussing his most recent musical for families and children. FRONTLINEdance Explorers Team will perform a show where audiences can help bring to life two stories with dance, colour, sound and teamwork. The Magic Lantern, a curious contraption that travels the land telling and collecting stories, will be visiting the festival with storyteller Ian Douglas and puppeteer Jo Douglas. And arts organisation Wild Rumpus will be challenging everyone to add a line to the longest tale to help create The Brilliant Neverending Story.

More programme details will be announced over the next two months, with additional elements including comedy shows, cartoon drawing sessions, story time for under 5s, a haiku workshop and history walk. There will also be a selection of food and drink stalls, a mini craft market and the beautiful ground of Biddulph Old Hall for visitors to enjoy.

Sarah Bird, creative director of OUTSIDE, said: “We believe that books and stories have the power to change the world, so we couldn’t be more excited to have this celebration of brilliant children’s books in Biddulph.

“Biddulph Old Hall is the perfect backdrop, it has such a magical, fairy tale feel. And the festival is a brilliant opportunity to experience this amazing place.

“We’re inviting schools and families from across the Moorlands to join us and a raft of world class authors, illustrators and artists for an incredible festival that will feed their imaginations.”

Tickets are available now at outsidearts.org with Friday 12 July for schools and community groups (free) and Saturday 13 July for families (£5 per person, under 3s free).