Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney to Launch Inaugural Cardiff Children's Literature Festival 2013

Thursday 29th November 
6.30pm - 7.30pm
City Hall, Civic Centre, Cardiff
Tickets: £3.50

The first Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will take place in March 2013 and it’s already attracting big names in the world of children’s literature.

Jacqueline Wilson has already confirmed her attendance at the event and now organisers are delighted to announce that the festival will officially be launched this November by Jeff Kinney, the author of the globally successful and award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.


Jeff will be taking to the stage at Cardiff’s City Hall in his only Welsh appearance to talk all things Wimpy and introducing his audience to 'The Third Whee'l, the seventh and latest book in his brilliant best-selling series. Jeff will be sharing inside information on his involvement in the Wimpy Kid films, and showing how he brings Greg, Rowley and the gang to life.


The Cardiff Children’s Literature festival will run between March 20th-24th 2013 and will bring together some of the best national and local contemporary children’s writers and illustrators in key venues across Cardiff, putting Wales once again on the children’s literary map. Authors already confirmed include Jacqueline Wilson, Anthony Browne, Jeremy Strong, Catherine Fisher, Eurig Salisbury and Malachy Doyle.


“We are delighted that such a prestigious author as Jeff Kinney is launching our festival,” said Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Huw Thomas, “The Children’s Literature Festival next year will provide a fun way of getting children excited and interested in reading. Having Jeff Kinney at the launch is a great coup. Our aim is to reach out to everyone who loves children’s books, especially young people, and enable them to interact with some of the most creative minds working in children’s books today by providing a variety of inspirational and accessible events in both the English and Welsh language.”


The original The Diary of Wimpy Kid has beaten Harry Potter to be voted 'Best Children’s Book of the Decade', and is the number one best-selling children’s brand in Britain selling more than 6 million copies in the UK, and over 75 million copies worldwide. The sixth book in the series, 'Cabin Fever' was the best-selling book of 2011 selling one copy every four seconds in the first week of sale.


The logo has been designed by illustrator Huw Aaron, who will be involved in the school outreach activity leading up to the festival.


The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival is organised by Cardiff Council, Literature Wales,
Cardiff University and The National Museum of Wales.

To book your tickets for the launch event, click here.

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