Ove 2000 children and families attended the very first Children’s Literature Festival to be held in Oldham, organised by Coronation Champion and award-winning author Christina Gabbitas in partnership with Oldham Council.
Founder of Children’s Literature Festivals charity Christina Gabbitas said, “The whole three-day engagement with children, families and teachers was absolutely amazing. The most rewarding part is the testimony from children.
One mum walked in behind her son who said it’s the most excited she had ever seen him, it was the first thing he wanted to attend on Saturday morning, and especially to pick up his free book. We have also been running an initiative to encourage children to write or produce illustrations about saving our planet, and we’ve had some wonderful entries that will be displayed in the library. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Oldham Libraries team and The Bukhari Institute for all their kindness and support.”
Actress Jenny Agutter OBE who is patron for the charity said. “I’m thrilled to learn that Christina and the team at Children’s Literature Festivals charity with Oldham Libraries were able sprinkle the magic and positivity of books at yet another festival. Congratulations to Christina once again and all the team.”
Events were held in Chadderton Library, The Bukhari Institute (Old Carnegie Library) and Chadderton Town Hall, our mission at Children’s Literature Festivals is to give children from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities an opportunity to attend free literature festivals and gift books. We were able to gift over 1000 books.
The children were treated to sessions from African Rapping Poetry with Donavan Christopher, Bhangra and Bollywood Dancing with Salma Zaman, stories of ancient ~Egypt with Andy Seed, Monster Illustrations with Zehra Hicks, Character storytelling with Dan Worsley, Poetry with Craig Bradley, Save Us From Pladtic sessions with Christina Gabbitas, and debut author Hafiza Issa and local Oldham author Allen Lule Pennell staged readings throughout the day too.
