THERE’S lots of fun in store at this year’s Big DoG children’s book festival in Dumfries later this month.
From making your own Gromit or Shaun the Sheep, to meeting famous authors, as well as a free garden party, it will be an action packed weekend.
Big DoG takes place from March 39 to April 2 and runs alongside the Hooked young readers’ and writers’ weekend.
Organiser Andy Stewart explained more and said: “It’s such a fun line-up – including storytelling by some of the country’s best authors, model-making, drawing and lots more. Everything’s designed to fire young imaginations and help share our love of children’s literature.”
Highlights include model making workshops with Aardman’s Jim Parkyn, who has worked on many TV and movie animated characters; storytelling with Vivian French, who has written over 300 books; a chance to hear from illustrators Allen Fatimaharan and Ross Collins; record-holding Paralympian swimming champion Ellie Robinson will read from her forthcoming book The Gold Medal Mysteries; a draw long with Tom Morgan-Jones who wants to make the biggest picture in Dumfries; and make magical stories with Liz Flanaghan.
There’s also a free family garden party in the gardens at Moat Brae on 1 April with storytelling, puppet theatre, music and face painting.
Meanwhile, Hooked is for 14 to 26 year olds and will have workshops and events with leading writers, alongside author talks and entertainment.
There will be an introduction to theatre design from Scottish Opera; and a crash course in book cover design with Leah McDowell
To find out more, go to www.wigtownbookfestival.com.
