Youth Festival

Books, talks, music and films in French and English

..::: From 5 to 8 December 2007

Celebrate Christmas with your children at the Institut français during its 10th Youth Festival. A four-day celebration of books and reading for young people aged 3 to 15, where children can come and meet authors and illustrators for free. Films, talks, workshops and book-signings with top French and British illustrators.The only temporary bilingual bookshop exhibiting the best in children's books from both sides of the Channel.
Guests this year include Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen, Emma Chichester-Clark, Julia Golding and Ian Whybrow; and from France and Belgium Daniel Pennac, Nancy Boulicault, Jean-Philippe Arrou-Vignod, Sophie Forte, Olivier Tallec, Hervé Tullet, Beatrice Alemagna, David Merveille, Anne Herbauts and Miriam Latimer.

Launch events

Wed 5 Dec at 6pm Michael Rosen, Outside In
Our new Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s greatest children’s writers (The Bear in the Cave, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt). Michael will be performing his brilliant, inimitable one-man show for children aged 7-11 years old. Unmissable! In partnership with The Children’s Bookshow 2007: Children’s Writers in Translation.

Wed 5 Dec at 7pm Quentin Blake in conversation with Daniel Pennac
Novelist Daniel Pennac is one of France’s most celebrated authors. The Rights of the Reader (Walker Books, 2007), illustrated by Quentin Blake, is a passionate defence of reading for pleasure. Daniel Pennac will be in conversation with Quentin Blake, his English illustrator. Sarah Adams, his translator will act as an interpreter. In partnership with the Children’s Bookshow and the Belgian Tourist Office Brussels and Wallonia.

With thanks to