Storylines 22nd annual Festival brings together children and authors

New Zealand’s largest children’s book festival gets under way 22-30 August with more than 60 leading authors, illustrators and storytellers appearing at six venues around the country, from Dunedin to Kerikeri.

The annual Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators was the brainchild of author Joy Cowley, with the first held in Auckland in 1993.

Among the authors appearing at the free Family Days are Kate De Goldi and Jennifer Beck (in Dunedin), Gavin Bishop and Stacy Gregg (Christchurch), Kyle Mewburn and Mona Williams (Wellington), Tessa Duder and Ruth Paul (Kerikeri), Fifi Colston and Melinda Syzmanik (South Auckland), and Leonie Agnew, Philippa Wer ry, Norm Heke, Paula Green and Sandra Morris (Auckland).

During the week the Story Tours will also take four authors to primary and intermediate classrooms in Northland and a further four around the greater Auckland area.

Among the invited authors are many who have recently appeared on Storylines’ prestigious Notable Books (in 2014) List or are finalists for the Book Trust’s New Zealand Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards.  

Auckland children will be able to meet the recent winner of the LIANZA Esther Glen award, rising star Leonie Agnew, while illustrator Paul Beavis, winner of the Russell Clark Award, will be visiting schools in the Auckland area.

A new feature of this year’s Festival week is the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, which will be presented to internationally acclaimed literacy educationalist and author Jill Eggleton at a public function on Thursday 27 August at the University of Auckland Epsom Campus.

Festival Dates:
FAMILY DAYS
Dunedin at the Dunedin City Library         Saturday 22 August
Christchurch at Upper Riccarton Library    Sunday 23 August
Wellington at Shed 6                               Sunday 23 August
South Auckland at Mangere Arts Centre    Saturday 29 August
Kerikeri at The Turner Centre                   Saturday 29 August
Auckland at the Aotea Centre                   Sunday 30 August

STORY TOURS
Auckland area                                         Monday 24 to Friday 28 August
Northland area                                        Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August

EVENING EVENT
Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and
Address, University of Auckland (Epsom)   Thursday 27 August

For more information about the events and authors visiting your region, please contact the Festival Manager: Vicki Cunningham events@storylines.org.nz