Press Releases

Children's Literature Festival at National Museum Cardiff

The first ever Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival takes place in March, a fantastic celebration of children’s books and National Museum Cardiff is one of the venues hosting amazing authors and illustrators from Martin Brown’s Horrible Histories to Doctor Who and How to Train your Dragon, there’s something for everyone. Events take place in the Reardon Smith Theatre at National Museum Cardiff on Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 March. To purchase tickets please call 02920230130. The festival is supported by Legal & General.

 

2013 is the 20th anniversary of bestselling Horrible Histories® series, and what better way to celebrate than with its fantastic illustrator, Martin Brown on Saturday 23 March at 10am. Come and join Martin and hear how he draws all the nasty bits of history - the Horrible way! From the Groovy Greeks to the Gorgeous Georgians, it's all horribly here in this not-to-be-missed event! Supported by Scholastic Children's Books Ages(s) 7+ Tickets £3.50

Meet master storytellers Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell on Saturday 23 March at 2pm, authors of the bestselling The Edge Chronicles, to hear about their new epic adventure, Wyrmeweald. With live drawing and an insight into how they create their fantastical characters, it is entertainment guaranteed. Supported by Random House Children's Publishers Ages(s) 11 +Tickets £3.50

A singing mermaid, a rhyming rabbit and a clever ladybird are just some of the characters illustrator Lydia Monks will be bringing to life in this fun-filled family event on Saturday 23 March at 4pm. Lydia has worked with Julia Donaldson, the Children's Laureate, on several best-selling picture books including What the Ladybird Heard, The Princess and the Wizard and their most recent, The Singing Mermaid. Lydia reads and draws from these and other favourites. Supported by Macmillan Children's Books. Ages(s) 5 +Tickets £3.50

From the destruction of the Daleks to the technicalities of time travel, science fiction author Mark Brake and rap artist ‘with a difference' Jon Chase explore the science fiction of Doctor Who on Saturday 23 March at 5pm. Forget secondary-school slumber and prepare for a science lesson the likes of which you've never known. Ages(s) 7 +Tickets £3.50

Young People's Laureate for Wales. Catherine Fisher talks about her new fantasy series The Obsidian Mirror weaving science fiction with folklore, featuring a wolf of ice, an invisible girl, the sinister tribe of the Shee and the labyrinthine mysteries of Victorian London. Can Oberon Venn change his past? Will the mirror's power destroy the future? And should we tamper with the real final frontier - time itself? Catherine discusses the novel and the challenges this type of book presents on Saturday 23 March at 5pm. Ages(s) 9 + Tickets £3.50

On Sunday 24 March at 12pm the presenters from Stwnsh, the popular S4C children's TV show, take a break from performing in front of the cameras and come all the way to stwnsh Eurig Salisbury, the Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh Children's Poet). They present a variety of poetry, words and wacky games to create a wonderful mashup of a show. Welsh language / Ages(s) 5 + Tickets £2.50

Join brilliant best-selling author and illustrator Cressida Cowell on Sunday 24 March at 2pm as she talks about her hilarious and wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon books. Watch Cressida bring her books to life with a high-energy presentation explaining where her inspiration for new and terrifying dragons comes from and how she develops her characters and plots. If you like events stuffed full of adventures, stories and jokes, then don't miss this one! Ages(s) 7 +Tickets £3.50 Supported by Hodder Children's Books

Calling all valiant Beast Quest fans! You can be at the launch of Adam Blade's new series - Sea Quest - and join in a Beast Quest Tournament on Sunday 24 March at 4pm! Deep in the water lurks a new breed of Beast. Can hero Max use his bravery, cunning and skill with gadgets to rescue him? And will he discover who controls the terrifying Robobeasts? Dive into Sea Quest and live the adventure! Exclusive Beast Quest and Sea Quest goodies for every contestant. Ages(s) 7 +Tickets £2.50 Supported by Orchard Books

Mari Gordon, Head of Publications for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said, “Amgueddfa Cymru – National Musuem Wales is proud to support the first ever Cardiff’s Children Literature Festival and we’re delighted to be one of the hosting venues for the weekend events. Tickets are a bargain to see and hear these great children’s authors. It’s a great opportunity for children of all ages and adults too to see words from books come to life, get involved with writing drawing, come and meet some of the characters – there’s something for everyone!”