Authors and key figures to feature at Maidenhead's Big Read

Youngsters will be transported into the world of books this weekend as a reading festival returns to Maidenhead town centre for another year.

Maidenhead’s Big Read (MBR) will be back across Saturday and Sunday with a host of literary figures and free activities for three to 13-year-olds, following this year’s theme of ‘Get Moving’.

Children will enjoy free craft activities, storytelling, and the chance to meet authors, illustrators and sporting heroes.

On Saturday morning visitors aged seven plus will hear from author and ecologist Catherine Barr in Maidenhead Library, who will talk about her books, travels and passion for the natural world.

Youngsters will then get the chance to draw alongside Dave Shelton, author of Good Dog, Bad Dog in a cartooning workshop.

The afternoon will see local author, poet and MBR patron Simon Mole deliver poetry from his latest book Poetry Pizza, alongside guests from Maidenhead United, who will be conducting a Q&A session.

From 1.30pm, author Vanessa Taylor will be discussing her books, including the award-winning Baller Boys.

Visitors will then get the chance to listen and draw with illustrator and author Tom Tinn-Disbury.

In the Children’s Corner, aimed at children aged three to six, Vanessa Taylor, best-selling author and winner of the People’s Book Prize for Children’s Literature 2021, will conduct a morning session.

Mr Tinn-Disbury, also a film animator, will take part in another session for younger children, involving drawing and stories.

From 12.15pm, Catherine Barr will give a talk on the journeys of birds and animals. Younger guests will also get to draw with Dave Shelton.

Local author Ruth Burgess will run a ‘lively’ story time session from 2.45pm on the Saturday, followed by a similar activity on the Sunday morning.

On the Sunday, there will be ‘poem pandemonium’ as young poets showcase their talents at Open Mic Poetry, hosted by poet Coral Rumble.

The Maidenhead United Women’s team will feature as special guests.

Following this, visitors will be invited to join ‘The Great Big Poetry Party’, where they will be treated to ‘poems, raps and randomness’ by Simon Mole and TikToker Gecko.

The session will feature ‘inspired improvisation’ and games to get involved in.

Ms Rumble will also put on a performance highlighting that there is ‘more than one way to pen a poem’.

Later on, historian Richard Poad will take visitors on a trip down the river as he ‘brings the world of The Wind in the Willows to life’.

Visitors can also enjoy magical storytelling aboard Once Upon a Bus across both Saturday and Sunday. The stories will include The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Room on the Broom and A Journey into Space.

There will also be crafts and competitions to enjoy as well as a story zone and the Big Read Treasure Hunt.

Stephan Stephan, chair of the Maidenhead's Big Read, said: "Every year, we set a different theme for the MBR festival. This year it is ‘Get Moving’.

“With the World Cup event this year, we have secured some of the Magpies to come along to the library to read to the children.

“We have also a mixed bag of authors and illustrators and fun things to do including Open Mic Poetry and The Great Big Poetry Party'which hopefully will attract even more children this year.”

For more information, visit: maidenheads-big-read.org.uk/whatson