Books, talks, illustrations and even some magic – it’s all on offer at the 2009 Taranaki Children’s Book Festival.

Kicking off on Monday 31 August, the Taranaki Children’s Book Festival is a week-long celebration to inspire and encourage children to read.

“Not only do we want to encourage kids to read and foster the love of reading, we also want to kick-start their creativity and inspire them to become writers themselves,” says Puke Ariki Manager Service Delivery, Dale Cousens.

“This festival gives local children the opportunity to meet their literary heroes and even bounce story ideas around with them that they might themselves write in the future.”

While 10 invited authors will be visiting schools around the mountain, children and their families are also invited to join them at the Gala Finale at Stratford Pioneer Village to celebrate the festival. And with free transport on offer it promises to be a fun day out!

Gala Finale
Date: Saturday 5 September
Time: 11am-2pm
Location: Stratford Pioneer Village
Transport: Free buses running from New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera. Contact your local library to book your seat!
Contact: Puke Ariki on 06-759 6060, Stratford District Libraries on 06-765 5403, South Taranaki District Libraries on 0800 111 323.
Prices: Free!

The week-long celebration of reading also includes storytelling sessions, author talks and professional development workshops for school and public librarians.

Young book lovers (and also their older fans) will get the chance to meet visiting authors Jack Heath, Trudy Nicholson, Kyle Mewburn, Linda McNabb, Melanie Drewery, Gavin Bishop, Ben Brown, Helen Taylor, Toni Rolleston-Cummins, Dawn McMillan.

Organised by libraries through-out the district, the Taranaki Children’s Book Festival celebrates children’s fiction for children of all ages – from early readers through to teenage fiction.

ENDS

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