Meeting Authors: Nick Sharratt at Bournville Bookfest, March 2018
- Jan 23, 2019
- 4 min read
Spread across numerous venues in the city of Birmingham,
the Bournville Bookfest is an exuberant festival boasting an array of events and welcoming some of the biggest names in children's literature. There were so many amazing events I'd have liked to have visited in the 2018 festival, but as we were only in Birmingham for one weekend I had to choose wisely, and as soon as my eyes clapped on the words "Nick Sharratt" and "You Choose" in the programme, I knew there was at least one event I was DEFINITELY attending.
If I was to compile a list of MUST HAVE books for children, the "You Choose" series by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt would HAVE to feature on there; the books are a visual delight of rich, detailed illustrations giving children control to choose their own narrative and build a different story each time...or, like mine, just stick to the same story and insist on repeating it to you EVERY night for months on end!
On the morning of the event we had to drive a mere 92 miles from Sheffield to Birmingham and thanks to the hubby and his tendency for faffing around when we're off on a day out, together with roadworks on the M1, we were running late and arrived with moments to spare before the start of the event.
I was probably a slightly comical sight, tearing my way down the greenery of the Blue Coat School on an overcast Saturday morning, two children in tow who were complaining that they couldn't keep up. I don't like being late on the best of days, I certainly was not going to be late for Nick Sharratt! As we reached the end of the path, we were directed into a huge marquee; I noticed a row of tables on our left as we entered, where books had been left for an organised book swap; (darn it, I thought, in my rush that morning, I'd left the books we wanted to swap at home!) In front of us had been set up a small shop selling titles by some of the authors appearing at the festival and dotted around were some very welcoming rugs, bean bags and scatter cushions featuring the vivid illustrations of the man we were about to see. There was a wonderful buzz about the place which was furthered by some fantastically friendly and welcoming people who I later learnt were the organisers.
We made our way to the part of the tent where the Nick Sharratt event was taking place and took our seats. I was a tad annoyed that arriving late meant we couldn't get seats closer to the front but screens had been set up and the sound system was on point meaning Ketchup and Mustard could see and hear all the action perfectly.
When Nick appeared on stage, you could tell he meant business in launching the third book in the series, "You Choose in Space", with his Saturn-emblazoned sweater and starry shirt. My kids instantly wanted one! Secretly, I did too!
Nick began by doing what he has become most famous for - drawing! He involved children in the audience by asking them for ideas and suggestions. I love that Ketchup and Mustard were able to witness and participate in this form of collaboration with an author/illustrator like Nick Sharratt; I feel that experiences like this can enable children to develop their own sense of creativity, opening up the process behind book creation to them and hopefully inspiring them to give it a stab themselves.
"You Choose in Space" follows the same theme as the previous two books "You Choose" and "You Choose Your Dreams" but the setting for the latest book is outer space! There are jobs to choose aboard a spaceship, weird and wonderful characters to befriend and some interesting looking food on the menu to try. The illustrations are as bold, colourful and detailed as ever and a hush came over the audience as Nick read the book and the images flicked before us all on the screens.
There was more drawing after, this time with children being called up on stage to try their hand at some doodling. Before heading off to begin the book signing, Nick wrapped up the event with a disco at the front, inviting children and adults to have a boogie to the "You Choose in Space" song. And for those of you reading this now, intrigued about this song and contemplating a boogie in the comfort and privacy of your own home, here is the track in question...
I'm sure there is a knack to getting to the front of queues for book signings, but we're still mastering it so whilst we slowly shuffled along, somehow ending up number four million in the queue, the kids got to try out those comfy bean chairs and cushions and I got to have a browse of the books on sale in the shop. The organisers were back again, this time going around and speaking to families; this was a lovely touch, I felt, and gave the event a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Finally it was our turn to meet Nick and I think I did a pretty impressive job of doing that whole "I-totally-queued-up-just-for-the-sake-of-the-children-and-am-totally-not-starstruck-right-now-because-it's-not-like-you're-one-of-the-best-writer's-and-illustrators-of-my-time-and-I-totally-admire-your-work-and-ideas." If he was tired from meeting the four million people before us in the queue or had writer's cramp from signing their books, Nick did not show it at all. He was warm, friendly and took his time chatting to us and the kids.
I must admit, I had been slightly hesitant initially to book an event so far from home but the only thing I regretted later was that we hadn't been to more of the Nick Sharratt events that Bournville Bookfest were hosting. He was a delight to see, both on stage and in person and we left feeling very inspired with two extremely happy and excited children.
We visited one other event at last year's festival which was enjoyed so much by hubby, me and the kids that I've been following Bournville Bookfest on social media in an almost stalker-like manner all year, desperate to get the latest news on the 2019 festival...and I can't tell you how excited I am that that moment has almost arrived...
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