Walking in their Shoes Blog

And We're OFF!

Line-up announced for 2012 Manchester Children’s Book Festival

Illustration by Richard Floethe

It's time to pull up those sock and get the children ready because the news is about to be divulged! 

On Monday 20 February at New Charter Academy (the new £40m campus) in Ashton-u-Lyne, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will unveil the full programme for the 2012 MCBF festival. Among the long list of names will be best-selling writers Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials), Cathy Cassidy (Daizy Star series), Tracey Beaker creator Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen, author of We're Going on a Bear Hunt.

“Books are a vital part of children’s lives, as children need places where they can dream and fantasise, be Harry Potter, or Tracy Beaker. They need to let their imagination run free without fear just as much they need to play football or dance” (Carol Ann Duffy).

Around 150 children from the local schools will have a great and rare opportunity to be part of an audience with the country's most famous poet. Although they may not know what a Poet Laureate is or does, Carol Ann will bestow us all with her poetry and probably leave a few of us gawking. John Sampson will also perform, putting a lovely end to a lovely launch.

The event runs from June 28 - July 8. That's ELEVEN days of reading, activities, fun and entertainment. After the event be sure to get your hands on a full-length brochure and tickets for all main events by visiting www.mcbf.org.uk and sign up via the form at the bottom right-hand corner of the page.