Charlie Higson to appear at 2009 Bath Festival of Children`s Literature

What: Meet Charlie Higson at the Bath Festival of Children's Literature
Where: Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW, UK
Date: Saturday 19th September 2009
Time: 18:00-19:00
Price: £6

Following the huge success of the Bath Festival of Children's Literature for the past two years, the third programme of events for children and families featuring some of the biggest names in the children's book world opens this year on September 18 - explains This is Bath

On the guest list are Jacqueline Wilson, Terry Deary, Francesca Simon, Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Axel Scheffler, Charlie Higson, Johnny Ball, Malorie Blackman, Gervase Phinn, Andy Stanton, Lauren Child, Judith Kerr, Jeremy Strong, Mister Maker, Tim Pigott-Smith, Robert Muchamore, Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell, Michelle Paver and Annette and Nick Butterworth. They are just some of the confirmed guests lined-up for the 10-day festival.

Young readers will be delighted with the many picture book authors and illustrators taking centre stage this year.

Gruffalo artist Axel Scheffler is back by popular demand to help celebrate The Gruffalo's tenth anniversary. Judith Kerr, author of the picture book classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea will be making a rare appearance to talk about her work – as will Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child.

Several popular costume characters will be visiting too, including Elmer the Elephant, Mr Funny, Olivia, Peppa Pig, Maisy, Peter Rabbit and Wallace & Gromit. There's a big Thomas The Tank Engine event and two messy arts and craft events featuring TV star Mister Maker.

"We hope there's something at the festival for everyone," says festival director, John McLay.

"As well as a few authors and illustrators who are coming back to Bath after appearances in previous years, we will be welcoming several new and exciting guests. We are constantly surprised by who says 'yes' when we ask them to attend the Festival. Bath-born author Jacqueline Wilson, recently made a Dame, was delighted to be asked back. Terry Deary, author of the popular Horrible Histories series, and now enjoying a run on TV, hasn't been to a book festival for several years so we were thrilled when he agreed to come to Bath."

TV stars abound at the Festival this year. As well as Mister Maker, Jason Bradbury from The Gadget Show will be bringing along a cast of strange and wonderful mechanical robots for an event based on his new children's book, Dot Robot. Veteran TV presenter Johnny Ball will be entertaining children and adults alike with stories from his new book, MathMagicians. There'll be a Top Gear-themed event and a whole evening of events about Doctor Who. Nicholas Briggs, the voice of The Daleks, will be quizmaster for a very special quiz .

Festival highlights include:

A special event celebrating the life of the most popular children's author ever – Roald Dahl – featuring some of the people who knew him best.

Top actor Tim Pigott-Smith talks about his books about Sherlock Holmes for children in the 150th year of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birth.

Bestselling author Malorie Blackman opens proceedings with a special event for families on 18th September in the Guildhall.

All the way from the USA, children's author Betty G Birney will be entertaining young readers with stories from her popular Humphrey the Hamster books.

Several events for teens and girl readers featuring Jacqueline Wilson, Cathy Cassidy, Grace Dent, Chris Higgins, Lisa Clark and Jenny Valentine.

Funny men Jeremy Strong and Andy Stanton promise to make readers in Bath laugh their socks off.

For tickets call the box office on 01225 463362, or visit www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk

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