CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Bookish dreams within canvas seams

Are you sitting comfortably girts and boys? Good, then I’ll begin...

In her review of the latest Harry Potter opus, Booker-winning author AS Byatt argued that JK Rowling’s phenomenal children's series is written for those whose imaginations are confined to the 'wortds of soaps, reality TV and celebrity gossip’. Methinks it's time to extend an invitation to the disappointed Ms Byatt to spend August having her imagination invigorated by the Edinburgh Book

Festival’s children’s programme.

And how could even the least bookish of young folk and old grumps fail to experience that tremble of excitement as they enter the unique tented village in Charlotte Square Gardens? For within this vibrant, bustling world of words and pictures there's something to inspire every age, taste and talent. As ever, there will be plenty of chances to meet writers, including festival regulars such as Eoin Colfer, author of the hilarious Artemis Fowl books, Nick Butterworth, creator of Ioveable alien Q

Pootle 5 and perennial favourite Jacqueline Wilson. There are free daily sessions with Storytellers in Residence and, of course, there’s always Room on the Broom to ride alongside Julia Donaldson and her dear friends The Gruffalo and The Smartest Giant in Town. Those of an artistic or musical leaning ' . can also take part in an illustration workshop with Anthony Browne, Lauren Child and Chris Riddell while tiny tots are cordially invited to join in with Lucinda Geoghegan for half an hour of traditional Singing Games and Rhymes. Phewl With such a packed, mixed bag of events, how could we not live happily ever after? (Allan Radcliffe) I Charlotte Square Gardens. 624 5050, ' 9-25 Aug "'

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NOT NOW, BERNARD AND OTHER MONSTER STORIES oooo Beasts that lurk within

Everyone's got an inner monster. a big grizzly beast ihSide of them that sometimes iust wants to go 'Grrrrrrrrrrrrr'. And when a new baby comes along. little first born might sometimes have to growl a bit leuder to get noticed. This. essentially. is the scenario With three actors from Nuftield Theatre Company who work monster stories. including the acclaimed tale Not Now, Bernard by DaVid McKee. into the domestic setting. Strong rhythms propel the stories on and each tale melds into another With proieSSional slickness. (Ruth Hedges)

I C Venue. Chambers Street. 0870 707 5705. until 24 Aug (not 70). 72.30pm, £6.50 (2550—53450).

ECHO CHAMBER .0.

Things that go bump in the night

An unlocked door, a light bulb on the blink . and Suddenly, a tom of Underbelly's labyrinthine cerridors ensnares us Ir‘.

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Down on the riverbank

There's nothing date so fun as lt‘iCSSIltg about I)" the me. And Kenneth Grahairte's beautiful sto". is retold here u, Splats Entertainment ‘.'.’th‘ intuit seems to be a genuine loxe tor the world born from Moley's first shuttle into the broader hanks and the final defeat of evil weasels. Animation adapted from original illustrations links scenes delightfully.

At IIlT‘QS the ct’xnpani, 'i; dedication to the original text results in slightli, loose scenes but With a bit of tightening it should prove an enchanting caper abotit the Edwardian countnysmle. iRuth Hedges.

I C Venue. 0870 707 :3 705. untr/ 2.1 Aug. 70.30am. £15.50 r£‘4.50—5§5.50r

THE SNOW QUEEN oooo Stripped down spellbinding

‘Less is more is one of those critical cliches that

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to deSCrit)e Simple-hut- effective productiOns In the case of C Theatre's adaptatiOn of The Snow Queen, the cliche says it all, With a virtual absence of props. scenery or tancypants effects. the productions Success is almost entirely down to the talented. five-strOng cast mo. to an is; monarch. perforrr With energy and passion slipping effortlessly between larger than ii‘e Characters. ranging from

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MUM AND THE MONSTER one

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So tzfi'i: that the l"Oflu‘%€tfl’)"f; in pact: ar‘d torie are seamlefxs. Mgr/r: and the Monster ‘r,ilo the Ives 0‘ a xtfle r/J, calied Tom and '1‘?) " urr‘ am his dad. .vit" hypnotic ft‘flhtl‘s, echoes and storytelling. By turns JoyOus and sad. exc ting and frightening, this tale .‘Jith an unexpected Imst Keeps up Ta” Stories SIaTUBSClJE standards. But“ Hedges-