Wigtown Children's Book Festival Autumn 2007

Children's Marquee
South Main Street, behind The Old Bank Bookshop

A selection of Scottish events for children at the Wigtown Book Town Festival.

• 12noon - Anita Govan: Performance Poetry

Anita Govan’s performance poetry resonates with the rhythm and moods of everyday life. She organised the first performance poetry slams in Scotland and is a passionate advocate of poetry, running workshops and performing around the world. Despite suffering from severe dyslexia, Anita delights in the power and possibilities of language.

• 1pm - Jill Dow: Windy Edge Farm

Join the author and illustrator of the Windy Edge Farm books, and find out more about the characters from her books, including Webster and Hepzibah. Jill has also illustrated books for other authors and will be demonstrating simple illustration techniques, so come ready to join in.

• 2pm - The Royal Mail Awards: Book Trust Event

What are the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books? Philippa Cochrane from the Scottish Book Trust will explain all before handing over to two of those shortlisted for this year's awards – author and illustrator Catherine Rayner and illustrator Lindsey Gardiner. Catherine will read from her beautiful picture book, Augustus and his Smile, while Lindsey will show the audience how to make their very own Diesel "the wonder dog" character.

• 4pm - Allan Burnett: ...And All That

Scotland’s blood-spattered history at its most wickedly entertaining. Find out how Bonnie Prince Charlie was born to get into trouble, laugh your head off at the heart-breaking royal romance of Mary, Queen of Scots, and shout “freedom!” from your seats at the exploits of William Wallace.

• 12.30pm - Cathy Cassidy: Sundae Girl

Local author, the fab Cathy Cassidy, returns to the Festival to talk about her two new books. Sundae Girl is a story of magic, mayhem and icecream dreams. Lucky Star is Cathy’s fave book because Mouse is her fave character. Mouse, now 14, is doing his best to stay out of trouble … Afterwards, visit Cathy’s camper van and take part in some Friendship Festival activities. Be there!

• 1pm - Nicola Morgan - The Highwayman's Footsteps

The award-winning author will talk about the gruesome ideas behind her books, including The Highwayman’s Footsteps, a dramatic and thrilling historical adventure which has been short-listed for this year’s Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books. We will also get a sneak preview of The Highwayman’s Curse, the sequel, which is set in Galloway and is due out in November. Nicola will also talk about her other works, including Blame my Brain and Know Your Brain, books on grey matter which are a must for parents and teenagers! This will be followed by a question and answer session.

• 2pm - Scoular Anderson: Space Pirates

Come along to this interactive session with Scoular Anderson, author of Space Pirates and the Treasure of Salmagundy and Space Pirates and the Monster of Malswomp. Meet Captain Tosca and her motley crew - Navigator Needlespune, Engineer Dogzboddi and cabin boy, Coleslaw - as they go in search of clues to find the missing pirate treasure. You will learn how Scoular writes and illustrates these brilliant map-reading adventure books but will you find the treasure? There will be lots of audience participation and a prize for the best-dressed Space Pirate so let your imagination run riot.