Kids of all ages enjoyed meeting authors James Mayhew and Harriet Muncaster during the inaugural Hitchin Children’s Book Festival at the weekend.
The festival – held on Saturday at the British Schools Museum in Queen Street – saw smiles all round as stories were accompanied by face-painting, craft sessions, author Q&As and book signings.
James and Harriet entertained the crowd with tales and workshops that brought their stories to life across the morning.
There was even a visit from Alice and the White Rabbit, brought to life by actors from the Letchworth-based Imajica Theatre Company.
Festival organising chief Danny Pearson told the Comet: “What a morning! I am delighted with how the Hitchin Children’s Book Festival went.
“It was fantastic to see how much the kids, and adults, enjoyed the festival. I hope the event inspired people and I was overwhelmed by all the positive messages I received before, during and after the event.
“People have asked for more – so watch out for news of future events coming to Hitchin in the new year!”
Danny added that the team would like to give a massive thank you to James and Harriet, as well as to the staff and volunteers at the British Schools Museum, Waterstones Hitchin and festival logo designer Dan Bramall.
James added: “I was thrilled to part of this first ever Hitchin Children’s Book Festival. I’m amazed it hasn’t happened before, and congratulations to Danny Pearson for putting together such a superb event.
“It was a real pleasure to be hosted by the British Schools Museum, and to work alongside my own ex-student, the hugely talented Harriet Muncaster.
“I hope the festival grows and grows into a national literature festival. It certainly deserves to!”
See britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk and imajicatheatrecompany.co.uk for more.
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