The Cheltenham Literature Festival is a much-loved annual event that sees a host of talented writers and illustrators share their much-loved stories with us. Here at Firefly Press we’re huge fans of the Family tent which usually boasts talks from some of the biggest talents in Children’s Literature.
Sadly, this year not quite as many of us will be able to attend the fun of the festival in person as only a limited number of tickets will be available, due to social distancing regulations. However, no need to cry just yet, as many of the events will be live streamed online for free!
With that in mind, here is a list of the Cheltenham Children’s Literature Events that we’ll be tuning into this year.
Rob Biddulph: Dog Gone
We’re kicking off our list with a bit of colouring in fun with Rob Biddulph’s Dog Gone event. Following off the success of his #drawwithrob lockdown series, Rob will be sharing his brand new book Dog Gone with us, alongside a master drawing and illustration class.
Dogs and drawing, what’s not to love? Rob’s Event is on Sunday 4th October at 12pm and Thursday 8th October at 8am, suitable for ages 5+.
Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara: Little People Big Dreams
Next up is Marua Isabel Sánchez Vegara’s inspirational event, Little People Big Dreams. Guaranteed to help kids chase their own dreams, Maria will be sharing the true stories of real-life child heroes such as Greta Thunberg.
Maria’s event is on Monday 5th October at 8am, suitable for ages 5+. And if that’s too early for you, why not check out Firefly’s real life children’s books?
Humza Arshad: Little Badman: Stories Aloud
We’re expecting a few laughs from comedian Humza Arshad and his new children’s adventure book Little Badman and the Time Travelling Doctor of Doom, co-written by Henry White.
Humza Arshad’s event will feature a special author’s reading and a draw along session with Little Badman’s illustrator, Aleksei Bitskoff. Guaranteed mischief, adventure, evil teachers and killer robots – we can’t wait to hear more!
Humza’s event is on Wednesday 7th October at 8am, suitable for ages 8+. Be sure to check out Firefly’s own collection of action packed children’s comedy books afterwards.
CLiPPA Poetry Award Show
We can’t pass up on the children’s poetry event of the year. We’ll be watching the CLiPPA awards show live with Chris Riddell, children’s author and illustrator, to find out who this year’s winner is.
We’re looking forward to hearing Chris’ thoughts on this year’s shortlist. I’m sure we will also hear all about it from his daughter, Katy Riddell, who is illustrating an up-coming Firefly Press book: Daydream and Jellybeans by Alex Wharton.
In the meantime, the CLiPPA Awards show is on Friday 9th October at 2pm, suitable for ages 6+.
Greg James and Chris Smith: Kid Normal
We’re looking forward to tuning into Greg and Chris’ party with an author’s reading and musical accompaniment to their Kid Normal and the Final Five superhero book series with a twist. Join in on the event to find out what happens to the Super Zeroes on their final adventure!
Greg and Chris’ event is on Saturday 3rd October at 1pm and Thursday 8th October at 8am, suitable for ages 8+.
Guess How Much I Love You Storyteller Show
Last but not least, we’re looking forward to celebrating the much-anticipated sequel to Guess How Much I Love You by Same McBratney and Anita Jeram.
Liz Frost will lead the very special event with a reading from the original family favourite, as well as introducing Will You Be My Friend – a new story about love and friendship.
The event is on Saturday 10th October at 12pm and Wednesday 14th October at 8am, suitable for little ones aged 3+.
Will you be attending the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2020? Let us know what Family Events you’re looking forward to!
Firefly Press are delighted to announce the acquisition of a moving and compelling YA romance by Josie Williams. Firefly acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada and audio) to The Wanderer from Lorella Belli at the Lorella Belli Literary Agency Ltd.
The Wanderer is a heartrending love story that crosses between life and the after-life. For those who enjoy teenage romances and all things spooky, this YA novel about a ‘wanderer’ in love is a must read.
Josie Williams is the pseudonym of an international bestselling author, whose New Adult romances have sold over 860,000 copies in English, and whose first novel, the YA romance The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window, was an international bestseller translated into many languages.
‘Josie Williams has an amazing track record as an author and a large, loyal, international following. This, her first YA novel for several years, is unsentimental, passionate and immensely moving. It recalls films like Ghost and the ending – no spoilers – moved some of the Firefly team to tears. We’re very excited to be publishing it.’
Rebecca Lloyd, Commissioning Editor at Firefly Press
‘The Wanderer is that rare novel that when I first read it made me smile, brought me to tears and also much spooky-loving joy. Think Romeo and Juliet meets City of Ghosts. This is Josie Williams’s second YA novel (the first was written under her own name) and is as original and heart-warming as her first.’
Lorella Belli, Agent
‘I’m positively thrilled with this news, and am so excited to work with Rebecca and the Firefly Press team to bring this novel to life! I can’t wait for people to read about Maggie and Ryan’s unconventional teenage romance.’
There’s less than a week to go until Roald Dahl Day 2020 and we’re counting down the days here at Firefly Press HQ. Roald Dahl would have been 96 years old on September 13th and what better what to celebrate one of the most famous children’s authors from Wales, than with a day full of fun and mischief!
Here are our top 5 Roald Dahl Day Ideas:
1. Dress Up as your Favourite Character
Your school might be taking part in Dahlicious Dress Up Day to raise money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. However, even if they’re not, don’t let that stop you – you can dress up at home!
There are loads of marvellous characters to choose from so whether you want to be the BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox or even a giant peach, start designing your Roald Dahl Day costume now to get involved in the fun!
2. Read your Favourite Roald Dahl Book
We know, it’s hard to choose your favourite – there are so many good ones! However, after much debate we have decided that George’s Marvellous Medicine and The Witches are our favourites.
Do you agree? Let us know what book you’ll be reading in the comments!
3. Get Inspired
Why not try writing your own book? If there’s anything we can learn from Dahl, it’s the power of your own imagination!
If you know some adults like The Twits or have a pet that’s always up to no good like The Enormous Crocodile, then it’s time to get writing. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll even become a Firefly Press author!
4. Cook Some Revolting Recipes
Make your own Roald Dahl inspired tasty treats, we promise they taste better than they sound! You can buy a Roald Dahl cookbook full of recipes from his books including Mud Burgers and Bird Pie.
Or for something sweeter, why not bake a Matilda inspired chocolate cake? You can save it for later when you have your very own…
5. Roald Dahl Film Party
Tuck into your well-deserved tasty treats and settle in for a movie night with all the family after a fun day of celebrating all things Roald Dahl.
We’ll be watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory back to back. Let us know what you’ll be screening at your party!
‘Have fun with your writing, be open to ideas, open to dreams – and your poem will find you.’
Alex Wharton
Poet Alex Wharton is calling on 7-11 year olds to join in the fun around his forthcoming poetry collection, Daydreams and Jellybeanswhich will be illustrated by talented children’s illustrator Katy Riddell.
We want Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3 to 6) to get creative and get writing, with one lucky winner chosen to have their poem printed in the back of the book, which publishes on 28 January 2021.
The competition will be judged by Alex himself and the winner will receive a Firefly bundle prize, including a signed copy of Daydreams and Jellybeans,AND have their poem printed in the back of the collection!
We’d like you to use your own daydreams as inspiration to build your poem, which should be no longer than 12 lines but can be in any form you like; haiku, limerick, free verse, rhyming couplets or ballad. We are only able to accept entries written in English.
To enter, ask your parent, guardian or teacher to send your poem to submissions@fireflypress.co.uk with the subject line Daydreams and Jellybeans Poetry Competition along with your name and date of birth.
The deadline is 5pm on Monday 21September 2020. Good luck!
Terms and Conditions of the Daydreams and Jellybeans Poetry Competition
The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 7-11 years except employees of Firefly Press and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.
There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her/their agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions. Entrants must submit their poems via a parent, guardian or teacher, compliant with safeguarding regulations.
Entries must be emailed by a parent, guardian or teacher to submissions@fireflypress.co.uk with the subject heading Daydreams and Jellybeans Poetry Competition. Submissions via Twitter or any other avenue will not be considered.
Entries must be written in English and be between 1 – 12 lines.
Only one entry will be accepted per entrant. Multiple entries from the same entrant will be disqualified. A parent, guardian or teacher may submit more than one entry in a single email, for example if submitting for a class of children or for siblings.
Poems submitted must be entirely the entrant’s own work. Poems which plagiarise will be automatically disqualified.
Closing date for entry will be 21/09/20 at 17:00. After this date no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
Prize refers to first print run, print edition only.
By entering this competition all entrants plus their parents, guardians or teachers permit without condition Firefly Press to publish all or part of their submitted poems on their website, social media channels, in digital and physical print, visual or audio format. Copyright remains with the entrant who will be credited for their work.
Firefly Press reserve the right to replace the prizes with alternative prizes if circumstances beyond their control make it necessary.
Firefly are delighted to announce that talented illustratorKaty Riddell will be partnering with poet Alex Wharton on his debut poetry collection for children, Daydreams and Jellybeans – publishing 28 January 2021.
From forgotten jellybeans to sparking daydreams, Alex’s poems, written for 7-11 year olds, are both funny and thoughtful, and aim to spark familiarity and inclusion. And the illustrations from Katy Riddell will focus on the fun and dreamlike quality of the poems’ engagement with the natural world.
‘I am really excited to be working with such a lovely team. Alex’s poems are so beautifully observant as well as brilliantly imaginative and I hope I can bring his words to life with my illustrations.’
Katy Riddell
Katy Riddell was obsessed with drawing from a young age. Plenty of encouragement from her parents, both artists and illustrators, led her to spend hours writing and illustrating her own stories, which her father (award winning illustrator Chris Riddell) collected throughout the years. Originally drawn to Fine Art, Katy rediscovered her love for illustrating children’s books in her gap year and decided to pursue it as a career. She lives and works in Brighton.
‘We’re so delighted to be working with Katy Riddell, her wonderful, joyful illustrations will fit perfectly with these poems.’
