The 2016 Bookworm Literary Festival, now in it’s tenth year, brings an impressive list of authors from around the world to take part in talks, panel discussions, and workshops from March 11-27. There are specific family friendly events scheduled and tickets are now available to buy here. This year’s sponsors, the International School of Beijing, Yew Chung International School Beijing, Dulwich College Beijing, and others will host events. Here’s the full list of the kids events and the workshops to keep an eye out for:
Children’s Events
Sun, Mar 13
This Writer’s Life by Jane Godwin
Ages 7-12. Jane Godwin talks about her life as a writer for children and young people. She explores inspiration and generating ideas; the writing process itself with its many challenges, mysteries, and rewards; collaborating with illustrators; and being published. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Mon, Mar 14
Reading Lewis Carroll is Prohibited by Diego Arboleda
Ages 9-12. Diego Arboleda is a Spanish author who won multiple awards for his 2014 book Prohibido leer a Lewis Carroll – Reading Lewis Carroll is Prohibited. This children’s event will be a tribute to Lewis Carroll and his timeless masterpiece, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which celebrated its 150th birthday just last year. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Tue, Mar 15
Maori Legends of New Zealand by David Hill
Ages 9-14.David Hill will tell the Maori legend of how the hero Maui fished part of New Zealand up from the sea – which explains the country’s present shape – and read some of his stories. Combining mythology and geography, this session will introduce listeners to a part of the world full of magic and wonder. Hill has been writing full time since 1983, and his books have been translated into French, German, Danish, Dutch, Chinese, Slovenian, Japanese, and Korean. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Thu, Mar 17
Spoken-Word Performance with Philip Wilcox
Ages 7+. 2015 Australian Poetry Slam national champion Philip Wilcox mixes poetry, stories, anecdotes, and jokes in this full-length performance. To enter ISB, you must have a print-out of your reservation. Free. 7.30-8.30pm.International School of Beijing (6503-2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Sat, Mar 19
In Conversation with Xinran moderated by Joe McKee
Ages 10+. Xue Xinran, who writes under the pen name Xinran, is a British-Chinese journalist, author, and advocate of women’s issues. She will talk about her books – including international bestseller The Good Women of China and her latest, Buy Me the Sky, about China’s one-child generation – and her other work, past and present. Moderated by Joe McKee, Dulwich College Beijing Academic Director. Registration required. Free. 7-9pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Mon, Mar 21
Around the World in 70 Minutes by Frané Lessac
Ages 8+. Go on a book safari and travel to the islands of the Caribbean, the deserts of the Sahara, and the jungles of the Amazon with author and illustrator Frané Lessac, who will give you ideas to help develop, plan, and design your own book inspired by the wonders of the world. Children will commence working on their own individual books. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Tue, Mar 22
Writing Workshop: Strange Objects by Mark Greenwood
Ages 6-12. Become excited and intrigued by objects and curiosities. Make your own strange-objects book. Discover how they connect us with history and how strange objects can inspire creative writing. The famed children’s writer Mark Greenwood, who has twice received the West Australian Premier’s Award and the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, will lead this workshop, which also includes an illustration component. Greenwood’s books have been published internationally, examining myths and legends and promoting multiculturalism. RMB 60. 10.30am-noon. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Thur, Mar 24
Dinosaurs, Meerkats, and Other Talking Animals by Ian Whybrow
Ages 6-10. Ian Whybrow, one of the UK’s favorite children’s authors, talks about how animals have influenced many of the 100-plus books he has written, including Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs – which was adapted into a 104-episode animated series – and Meerkat Madness, the first in his Awesome Animals series. RMB 60. 10.30am-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Workshops
Sun, Mar 20
The Writer Within by Ofir Touché Gafla
Ages 12+. Award-winning author and creative writing instructor Ofir Touché Gafla leads this workshop that examines the creative process and provides tips for taking your writing to the next level. Touche will discuss the myriad advantages of fiction writing, how to approach the daunting task of translating an idea into a full-blown story, the marriage of content and structure, developing one’s voice, and looking for the writer within through getting acquainted with one’s profound subtext. RMB 200. Noon-1.30pm. The Opposite House.(6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Thur, Mar 24
Nonfiction Writing by Edward Platt
For teens and adults. Award-winning nonfiction writer Edward Platt will introduce key literary techniques in creative nonfiction and discuss how to structure an appealing concept in the genre. He will look at common problems faced by writers in the research and writing process, and offer advice on how to approach agents and publishers with an idea. Platt will begin by introducing his books, how he came to write them and the form they take, before moving on to group writing exercises (e.g., autobiographical writing, character invention, scene-setting, etc.). 7.30-8.30pm. RMB 200. iQiyi (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Sat, Mar 26
Cartoon Creation from Concept to Finish by Larry Feign
For teens and adults. From comic strips to graphic novels to animation, here’s a workshop for all ages, from child to adult, and any level of drawing experience, from none whatsoever to advanced. Learn the process of cartoon creation from a master of the genre, the very funny and award-winning Larry Feign, who has published fifteen books and whose works have appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, The Economist, Fortune, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Der Spiegel, and Pravda. Note: this will be a “digital” drawing workshop… meaning FINGERS, not electronics. Drawing materials – 1) black pencil (2B hardness recommended), 2) light blue pencil, 3) eraser / rubber, 4) white paper – will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if they would like. RMB 200. 2-3.30pm. The Opposite House (6503-2050, info@chinabookworm.com)
Descriptions courtesy of The Bookworm.
Photo: The Bookworm
