Now celebrating its 16th year, London’s South Ken Kids Festival brings storytelling and children’s books from either side of The Channel to the capital, taking place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 November 2013.
Bridging the gap between French and English children’s literature is the South Ken Kids Festival. The weeklong event will excite little bookworms, budding moviemakers or aspiring illustrators, as kid’s film, literature and art come together from both sides of the English Channel.
There’ll be plenty of events to keep your little ones entertained, from film screenings to drawing workshops and even the chance to see the man who brought those wonderful Roald Dahl’s books to life, illustrator Quentin Blake draw live on stage.
Events will take place in both French and English, giving your little linguists a chance to brush up on their French.
The South Ken Kids Festival is celebrating its sweet sixteenth this year, so expect it to be bigger and better than ever. Here are our top picks from the events taking place.
Monday 18 November 1.30pm-2.45pm | free for schools
Film: My Mommy Is in America and She Met Buffalo Bill
Little movie buffs will love this charming, heartfelt tale of six year old boy, Jean. Inspired by Jean Regnaud and Emile Bravo’s picture book, it’s in French but with English subtitles, giving them (and you) the chance to brush up on some French.
Friday 22 November 6.30pm-7.30pm | in English | ages 5+ | £5
The Big Duo: Quentin Blake & Philippe Dumas
Blake has been the patron of the South Ken Kids Festivals for all of its 16 years. This year he’ll wow the crowd with his beloved illustrations as he takes to the stage to draw live with his French counterpart, Phillippe Dumas. Expect to be charmed, wowed and inspired.
Saturday 23 November 11am-12pm | in English | ages 10+ | £5
Meeting Oksa Pollock
Move over Harry Potter, here comes your French, female and we’re guessing much chicer equivalent, Oksa Pollock. Young bookworms will get the chance to meet the books creators and find out all about the wonderful world of the extraordinary teen.
Sunday 24 November 10am-12pm | in English | ages 10-13 | £15
Create Your Own eBook
The way in which we read is changing with the rise of tablets, eBooks and the like. This creative come techie workshop will give young writors and illustrators produce their very own 10 page eBook complete with sounds, special effects and magic tricks. Don’t get us wrong we long for a home library bursting with old books, but sometimes you’ve just got to get down with the kids.
Where: Institut Français, 17 Queensbury Place, London SW7 2DT
When: 18-24 November 2013
Tickets: www.southkenkidsfestival.co.uk