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Here at Mini Travellers we are really looking forward to our first visit to Barnes Children’s Literature Festival on 11 & 12 May. Set around the beautiful Barnes Green and Duck Pond, will be London’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival.

UK Laureate Lauren Child will headline the festival, which plays host to so many super-stars of the children literary world including Judith Kerr, David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Francesca Simon, Costa winner Hilary McKay, Holly Smale, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, Sam Usher, Jessie Burton, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Emma Carroll, Robin Stevens, Matthew Syed and many more. Our only problem is which to choose from and how to be in three places at once.

Not only can you hear from these wonderful authors and illustrators, but there are there are craft activities and animation workshops on offer at Barnes Children’s Literature Festival too. Elmer Elephant and Paddington will also both be in residence. This years festival will feature the premier of an outdoor theatre performance of Lost Words: Seek Find Speak based on the acclaimed illustrated book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. We also hope to try out the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) musical theatre workshop based on our all time favourite musical, Matilda. If this is not excitement enough, then there are Greatest Showman singing sessions.

Those with younger children don’t need to miss out either as there is an entire programme of events for babies from 6 months to two years old, including an event based on the much-loved This is Not My…..books. There is also a dedicated programme for families with children with special and extra needs including inclusive storytelling with Rose Robbins and Vanessa Woolf and yoga-telling sessions.

In 2018 they sold 8,500 tickets to 80 events and tickets for this year are selling fast so it is best to book your tickets soon.

Why not check out their http://www.barneskidslitfest.org