WORD Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival – review

Writers and Readers Festival Review

By Jack P

On Thursday last week a selection of Year 6’s  were lucky enough to visit the Read Aloud School Programme as part of the WORD Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival.

We heard three amazing authors speak. Jackie French, Melinda Szymanik and Donovan Bixley. They all have famous books such as Hitlers Daughter, A Winters’ Day In 1939 and Monkey Boy.

Jackie talked about how she loved books so much – and how you should love what you are reading too, or she recommends you put the book down and get another one!

Melinda talked about what helps her write: her imagination, mixed with curiosity and her experiences! She read a very moving section from her war book set in 1939, that is the retold story of her father’s life.

Donovan showed a slide show of some of his amazing illustrations, and read a very amusing piece from Monkey Boy, about when you need to go to the toilet on a big early-settlers-type boat!

I loved hearing how these authors decided to write their books, what was involved and to hear them read, brings the book alive in front of your eyes!

I also went to another WORD event on Saturday, which featured our own Desna Wallace reading from Canterbury Quake. She read a very emotional part of Maddie’s journey. Melinda read to the packed room too, a different part of her book and we were also treated to a reading  from James Norcliffe, with Felix and the Red Rats, the book I am reading at the moment!

Well done Desna you are such a dedicated author and lover of books!
Aren’t we lucky in Christchurch to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening with these special authors and to explore their new works? I love good stories and finding out about and enjoying new ones read by their authors is such an inspiring and exciting event!

Thank you for such a wonderful review Jack, and I am so glad you enjoyed the festival. I also loved listening to Jackie French as she had so many ideas about reading which were very inspiring. I loved the festival and attended 9 of the sessions. My brain is very tired after so many events but full of ideas as well as a pile of books I now want to read (Expensive weekend!)
Here is a photo of author Melinda Szymanik and I with our books after our event – the Exciting Tales and All Right? Book Launch. Don’t forget we have books by the authors Jack has reviewed in our library so come and see me.
I loved meeting so many authors, like Melinda here,  and will treasure the weekend always. Roll on the 2016 festival.

Melinda

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