Book Week 2023 is being held between the 19-25 of August and to celebrate, Granny Fi’s and Boobooks are coordinating a number of activities and festivities in the Armidale Mall including a dress-up book parade.
The official theme for Book Week 2023 is Read, Grow, Inspire. Book Week is held nationally every year and is organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.
The idea for an event in the Armidale Mall to coincide with Book Week was first pitched by Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard Facebook page in April. The idea was warmly received by the community and is now being organised as an Armidale Regional Council Event, with sponsorship from the New England Writers’ Centre and organised in part by Yvonne Langenberg from Boo Books and Beattie Alvarez from Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard.
During the week there will be four community workshops sponsored by the New England Writers’ Centre, featuring local authors and illustrators.
Bronwyn Parry (author) will be giving a workshop for adults called ‘Write Like Austen and Shakespeare’, teaching how to cut and write with a quill. All participants will get a quill to keep, writing paper/parchment and a booklet that Bronwyn has put together. Maximum of 12 for the workshop.
James O’Hanlon (writer/illustrator) will give a non-fiction writing and research workshop for adults. His blurb is: Join author and scientist Dr James O’Hanlon for a workshop on writing cutting-edge non-fiction. Learn how to craft factual stories using and critically evaluating information from various sources.
Trish Donald (children’s author and illustrator) will give a children’s illustration workshop. Her blurb is: Create a unique character and explore different illustration mediums and techniques in this fun and experimental workshop. Students will play with textures to express emotions and atmosphere while they develop their stories. This is a messy workshop so please dress accordingly.
Caroline Touhey (children’s author) will give a children’s writing workshop. Her blurb is: ‘Write and Illustrate Your Own ‘Counting to Ten’ Picture Book. Come along to Caroline’s workshop and have fun with rhyme. Create your own little picture book using rhyming words and your own amazing imagination.
Tattersall’s Hotel will also host a Book Trivia night during the week.
Activities on festival day (Saturday the 26th of August) will be held during the afternoon so as not to compete with weekend sports and will include:
- Bookish themed markets
- Scavenger Hunt
- Live music
- Face painting
- Food stalls
- Book Parade (dress-ups highly encouraged and open to everyone)
- Plus more!
“We are so excited that Armidale Regional Council has embraced our idea for a Book Week festival in Armidale,” says Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard owner (and head dragon hatcher) Beattie Alvarez.
“All plans are coming together and the community support for this event has been wonderful, watch this space as there is plenty more to come!”
For more information you can visit Boobooks Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/boobooks.armidale
As well as Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard: https://www.facebook.com/GrannyFisToyCupboard
Both are located in the Armidale Beardy Street Mall.
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