World-renowned authors to attend Sharjah Children's Reading Festival

Sharjah is all set to become the epicentre of children's literature over the next twelve days as internationally renowned children's authors from across the globe converge on the Sharjah Expo Centre for the 5th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival. Organised by the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Festival brings together 80 of the world's most acclaimed children's authors and illustrators for a celebration of children's books packed full with exciting talks, panel discussion, workshops, and fun-filled children's activities that will run from the 23rd of April to the 4th of May. Forming part of the Festival's Cultural Programme, on Friday the 26th of April literary alchemist John Archambault will be taking part in a book forum titled Elements of Communication with Children and Why It's Important organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information. The 2nd of May will see the bestselling author of Revolution 2020 and What Young India Wants, Chetan Bhahagat, be the focus of one of the Festival's intimate Meet the Author sessions. The book forum scheduled for the 3rd of May will feature celebrated illustrator Guy Parker-Rees, who's illustrations adorn such celebrated books as Giles Andreae's international best seller Giraffes Can't Dance", and a large body of Tony Mitton's award winning titles. Organised by Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, the forum will focus on the Challenges of Writing for Children and will give attendees the opportunity to gain insights into the thoughts and experience of some the world's leading figures in children's literature. In addition to these three sessions, the Festival's line-up will include talks, workshops and discussions with a myriad of children's writers and illustrators including, Fiona Waters, Terence Blacker, Taghred Chandab, Hilary Wagner Scot Garner, Helen Nathan, Bruce Coville, and Tom Banks. The list continues with Jane Burroway, Jon Blake, Patricia C. Wrede, John Coy, Dave Shelton, Ian Billings, CJ Daugherty, Bob Shea, Cathy Cassidy, John Row, and Nick Toczek. Another exciting part of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival is the Cookery Programme, which will host nine acclaimed chefs and feature a fun-filled programme of culinary talks and workshops designed specifically for the young lot. - Emirates News Agency, WAM