24-05-2025
Cornwall children's book festival to feature 'big names'
A Cornwall children's book festival has partnered with a children's newspaper.
The St Austell Festival of Children's Literature, which is in its third year, has teamed up with First News for its 2025 event.
The festival will take place on June 13 and 14.
First News will send three young journalists from Mount Charles School, St Mewan Community Primary School, and Upton Cross Academy to report on the festival.
These budding reporters will cover creative workshops, storytelling sessions, draw-alongs, and other activities.
They will also conduct mini-interviews with children's literature stars attending the festival.
The festival will have a 'Young Festival Reporters' Wall in the festival hub, where children can write their own news stories inspired by First News articles.
Free copies of the newspaper will be available to 200 festival attendees.
Heather Wright, festival director, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be partnering with First News for this year's St Austell Festival of Children's Literature.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to encourage young writers and give local pupils the chance to experience journalism firsthand.
"Now, having some of our local schoolchildren reporting on the festival as young journalists is truly magical.
"It brings the world of books, writing, and real-life storytelling together in the most exciting way."
The festival will host a Family Day on Saturday, June 14, open to everyone for just £1 per event, and a Schools Day on Friday, June 13, open to a network of host schools across St Austell, Newquay, and Bodmin.
Authors Anika Hussain, Sue Hendra, and A.F. Steadman are some of the big names expected at the festival.
St Austell Festival of Literature is now a designated Community Interest Company (CIC) working to benefit the local community it is based in.
The team is led by four directors, Simon Pollard, headteacher of Carclaze Primary School; Reading Rocks founder, Heather Wright; primary school teacher, Amy Enever; and chair of Restormel Arts, Phil Webb.
They are supported by dedicated volunteers from the community.
More about the team can be found on the festival website.
First News is the leading, independent news source tailored specifically for children.
