VII/7, ill/E . E
CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL
Charlotte Square Gardens. 11-27
Aug.
Are you sitting comfortably girls and boys? Good. Then I'll begin . . . As cartoonist John Fardell pointed out recently in the hallowed pages of this very magazine, the work of book illustrators is notoriously undervalued, their important contribution to the success of a book often overlooked. And this lack of recognition is particularly true within the realms of children’s fiction. Though the instantly recognisable creations of former children’s laureate Quentin Blake are widely venerated, he remains that rarest of creatures, the ‘name illustrator, whose fame obscures the work of lesser-known artists. Happily, the imbalance is about to be redressed by the organisers of this year’s Children’s Book Festival, which makes children’s picture book illustrators the major
focus of the two-week event. One of the most eagerly anticipated aspects of the programme is a free exhibition featuring many of the best-known children’s illustrators, including Shirley Hughes, Debi Gliori and Jez Alborough. ‘Children’s Writers and Illustrators Scotland came up with the idea for the exhibition and developed it along with the National Trust for Scotland,’ says festival assistant director Marc Lambert. ‘Their objective was to highlight the vital importance of illustrators, particularly to children learning to read and they originally intended to concentrate on Scottish illustrators, but the idea developed to include other UK
artists.’
The exhibition takes place in the National Trust at 28 Charlotte Square, a mere hop, skip and jump away from the main Book Festival site. The artistic theme will also be approached through a series of interactive workshops, during which participants will learn how picture books are put together. There are also several exciting festival art commissions. Over the course of a fortnight, sculptor Serena de la Hey will produce a 20ft
St 7;\Nl WNAVIAN
WHEN THE ROBBERS CAME TO CARDAMOM TOWN
Gilded Balloon ll - Teviot, 10—18 Aug. 10am.
Written in the liliitts. this Nor‘.‘.'egrarl tale rs the enchanting stop. ot l1 x‘al rohoers Casper. .lesper and .Jonothan. who l1a\rng been caught stealing grngersnaps trorn the local taken. are thrown rnto the town ,rarl. \".'lier1 a tire hreaks out. the opportunrh arises for Illt‘ lli\t‘l\ ltltitl It) UStXII‘t’ Llltl‘rtiiit‘t‘tl 80 \‘.'rll tl1e\ sta\ and help or run .ll.‘.’;l‘. as tree n‘en'.‘ 'It's just one ot those teei good shousf s.1\s director of the
National Youth ’lheatre ot Norman Nina
Andreson. 'It demonstrates that there's
a little hrt of good in e\'er\one.‘ Although this rs the first trrne the shov.
has been perlorrned in English. the tale
has been a great success Ill rts natr\e Norway hoth as a now! and a pl.1\. enro\rng a sell—out run earlier this war. Translating the shoe. hasn‘t heen
eas\. espeeralh With a \oung t‘ast of l-l—lt%—\ear-olds. ‘It's detrnrte|\ heen a challenge.’ laughs Andreson. 'But I‘m sure rt will he gurte charming in
Alfie Weather is helping illustrators get noticed
tall Harry Potter wicker dragon, while fellow artist Jonny Beaufield has been commissioned to produce a dazzling ‘lmagination Chamber’. ‘lt’s crucial that we find a balance between passivity and an active model,‘ says Lambert. ‘These artworks will grow over the course of the festival and are things that children can participate in and have a real sense of ownership.’
On top of these special events and activities, the children’s programme will also feature the annual Writers and Readers series, with contributions from a broad sweep of children’s authors. For lovers of verse, Adrian Mitchell will be revealing the thirteen secrets of poetry with customary humour, and the renowned Allan Ahlberg will be collaborating for a recital with three Edinburgh primary schools. In fiction, Leicester author Bali Rai will be reading from his ground-breaking novel (Un)arranged Marriage, Malachy Doyle discusses his novel Georgie about a young boy in care, and there are contributions from veterans Melvyn Bloodtide Burgess, Jacqueline Wilson and Catherine MacPhail.
(Allan Radcliffe)
Contagious fun whether you’re 4 or 400
English. And hesrdes. at least at x'ulr l‘e Ant reson herself first sarr‘pled the authentic ~ \ou could out these Fringe rn 1095‘, 1.'.rtn her or1~:,--'.‘.orr‘an accents 1.'.rth a knrlef' Regardless of show; Legs. No Jokes. “.‘o Charlie.
So hov. does she think tnrs year's SHOT. ‘.'.'li| match up to her l)."(k‘.r()tl8 ‘.rsrt';‘ 'You can't possrhl‘, compare] she laughs. 'But like last trnze. the fun
tne language. Andreson rs conxrneed that the shows appeal lies rn rts Lllll\'t‘l8di gualrtres: 'At the end of the da\, the stem has a great moral of toler.’1nce and acceptance. ‘.'.'l1reh is we hat e on stage rs gorng to 1e trrneless and an audrence appreciates :‘ontagnus- 1.'."r‘ether' you're 4 or JOCK that." rAnna Mrllar
Treasure Island Wee Stories 'lheatre works rts rnagrr: on R. l . Stevenson’s adventure tale. packing gruesome action. tun srngalongs and intelligent humour rnto this trte star show. See revrew on next page. Nellie/how Theatre, untrr’ g’ri Aug, {1.30pm.
The Comic lhr'ee Bea/1o style characters lump in and out of anrrnatron land rn this innovative show ahout a cartoonist who rnrsses hrs deadline. See r'evrew on next page. C Venue. MW 8 August. 72.5355prn.
Monsters In My Wardrobe Snow heasts and tire dragons come out of the closet in Blue Boat Theatre's funny and evocative play. See revrew on next page. ’Ihe Stand. untr/ as Aug, noon.
The Gruffalo lall Stories adapts Julia Donaldson's popular picture hook for the stage. featuring fun songs. great clraracter'isatrori and a superth scary Gruflalo. See revrew on next page. C too. untr/ 2(5/lug. 2pm.
0 Cano Cartoon capers and slapstick fun from this award- v-rrnning clown trio. who do things with piping you never thought possrhle. See l'(‘:Vl(2‘.'V on next page. George Square 'fhe.’1tr‘(-). untr/ 1.3 Aug. 7.30pm.
Princess Plimsole A loner princess enters the big WKIO world and encounters all kinds of nonsense in this Fringe gern lrorn Incarnate. See revrew on next page. P/et'rst’rnce. untr/ 2/" Aug, noon.
Fringe Sunday Always a hrg hrt wrth the little ones. this full day of fun features hitesized chunks from a plethora of Fringe acts. plus the usual funfarr. sideshow shenanigans. The Meadows. Sun 72 Aug.
7 7 am—Spm.
The Princess And The Pea Charming adaptation which turns three of Hans Christian Andersen's tales into one. C Venue. until 26 Aug, 7 7.20am.
‘ THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 43