BookFest 2019 comes to Darlington

Families and bookworms alike will have the opportunity to take part in this year’s exciting BookFest in Darlington next month.

BookFest (4-9 March) is a celebration of World Book Day and Crown Street Library will be hosting a range of exciting events incorporating arts, literature, and learning for the whole family.

The fun kicks off on Monday 4 March with Story Telling Adventure, a fantastic experience for children between two and five years old. Ran by the Imagine Me! preschool drama group, this event will ignite the imagination of youngsters. Sessions will be held throughout the day with an after school session for five to seven year olds.  

Creative parents, grandparents, and carers are invited to take part in Story Boxes. Build a story box to help make stories at home more interactive and memorable. This event takes place Monday 4 March, 10.30am-12.30pm, and is an adult only session.

Join Garry Parsons, the award-winning illustrator of ‘The Dinosaur that Pooped…’ series, ‘Nuddy Ned’, and ‘Dragonsitters’ among many more, to find out what it’s like to be an illustrator at Dinosaurs, Dragons and Drawings. This fun, interactive event is on Tuesday 5 March, 4.30-5.30pm and is suitable for children ages five and above.

Find out how applique can offer a wide range of creative opportunities using scraps of fabric and a sewing needle in Fun with Fabric. In this adult only workshop, parents, grandparents, and carers will be provided with materials, learn applique techniques and take home their finished design. This event takes place on Wednesday 6 March between 9.30-11.30am.

Parents, grandparents, and carers can bring along the children to decorate some yummy cupcakes to take home in a Cupcake Decorating session on Wednesday 6 March, 1-3pm. This event is suitable for children aged three to five.

A gaming night is being held for 11-16 year olds, on Wednesday 6 Marth, 6.30-8pm. A Gamerholics video gaming session where you can test your skills against fellow gamers and make new friends.

Darlys Magic History Tour offers the chance for children five and above to experience an interactive story session. This takes place on Thursday 7 March between 4.30-5.30pm. World Book Day Themed fancy dress is encouraged.

Children aged two to five can take part in World of Books Arts and Crafts with stories, songs, and crafts. On Friday 8 March, 10.30am-12.30pm.

The Feather, the Tooth, and the Kiss is a friendship story where children aged two to five can sing songs, meet puppets, play with props and have fun. On Friday 8 March, 1.30-2.30pm.

Creative children can enter a world of imagination at the Lego Block Party, where they will build, race, and compete against one another using LEGO® bricks. All sessions take place on Saturday 9 March, and sessions for different age groups run throughout the day between 9.30am-1pm.

A Stop Motion Animation workshop is being held for those who want to try their hand at making their own mini movie in stop motion animation, using a variety of tools from modelling clay and Lego to popular toy figures. The workshop is suitable for ages 11-16, and is on Saturday 9 March,1-3pm.

Charlie and the Awesome Authors is an exciting chance to learn about the world’s most famous authors in an engaging and unique way. Recommended for children aged five to seven and is on Saturday 9 March 9.45-10.30am and again at 10.45-11.30am.

For Harry Potter fans, BookFest offers a fantastic experience to take part in a lesson at Hogwarts. A Day at Hogwarts lets children take part in spell making lessons, potion creation, and wand control. Recommended for children between seven and 11. This event takes place on Saturday 9 March, with two sessions at 12-1.30pm, and 2-3.30pm.

Finally, travel back to the 60s with The Phat Tyrtles and join BIG Little Gig on Saturday 9 March, 4.30-5.30pm. Expect the usual fun with family friendly live music, craft, singalong, and a space to shake your stuff! 60s fancy dress is very welcome.

Suzy Hill, Darlington Library’s Bookstart and Library Literacy co-ordinator, said: “I am delighted to see Darlington host the very first Bookfest in celebration of World Book Day.

“Bookfest offers a wonderful opportunity for the people of Darlington to take part in numerous creative events that are sure to entertain adults and children alike.”

All tickets are free, but places are limited and must be booked in advance. Tickets go on sale Monday 18 February at www2.darlington.gov.uk or pop into the library.