Location: Sedbergh School, Sedbergh & Casterton
Yoto Carnegies, the UK’s longest running and best loved book awards for children and young people, in partnership with Sedbergh, England’s Book Town, will deliver a free day-long festival of events celebrating outstanding reading experiences for children and young people.
The festival’s daytime programme will cater for school groups, featuring sessions with the 2024 Yoto Carnegies shortlisted illustrators, renowned children’s authors, publishing experts specialising in material for young readers, and experienced group leaders for the Carnegies Shadowing Scheme. This national reading initiative involves groups reading the shortlisted books and voting for their favourites. Additionally, there will be a dedicated session for educators and librarians to explore shadowing as an avenue to foster a love for reading and engage with diverse book collections.
Session 1: 10:00- 12:00 at Sedbergh School, Sedbergh
Shortlisted Illustrators session for Primary School age children (years 5 and 6), with a theme of the natural world
Venue: Thornley Studio, capacity x 100 theatre style
Water and snacks available in foyer from 09:30
Session 2: 13:00 – 15:00 at Sedbergh School, Sedbergh
Shortlisted Illustrators session for Primary School age children, (years 5 and 6) with a theme of the natural world
Venue: Thornley Studio, capacity x 100 theatre style
Water and snacks available in foyer afterwards
Session 3: 15:00 – 15:45 at Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School, Casterton
Q&A session focusing on careers and opportunities in publishing and literature, aimed at Secondary School pupils (years 10 to 13 (ages 13-18))
Venue: Sedbergh Prep Sports Hall, capacity 300 x theatre style
Session 4: 16.15- 16:45 at Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School, Casterton
Storytelling with Jake Hope for Pre-Prep pupils (ages 4 to 6)
Venue: CSPS Library, capacity for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (approx. 40)
Session 5: 16:30 – 17:30 at Sedbergh School, Sedbergh
Twilight CPD session for teachers of English & Art
Focus of session – shadowing as an opportunity to build reading for pleasure and also around building and working with diverse and inclusive collections of books.
Venue: Thornley Studio, capacity 100 theatre style
Tea and coffee available in foyer
Session 6: 18:30 – 19:30 at Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School, Casterton
An evening with Anne Fine, author of Mrs. Doubtfire and past Children’s Laureate and twice-winner of a Carnegie Medal. For older boarders from CSPS (years 7 & 8).
This is also open to the public who can request tickets by sending name and email address to booktown@sedbergh.org.uk.
Venue: Sedbergh Prep Sports Hall, capacity 300 theatre style
The evening session, set on World Book Night, will be open to the public and will feature a headline appearance by Anne Fine, a two-time recipient of the Carnegie Medal for Writing. Notably, Fine authored ‘Madame Doubtfire,’ later adapted into the blockbuster film starring Robin Williams. Anne Fine was the first novelist to be honoured as the UK Children’s Laureate (2001-2003) and has contributed to various genres, including picture books, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, young adult fiction, and adult novels.
Anne Fine said, “Winning the Carnegie Medal is the highlight of any children’s writer’s career, (may I boast that I’ve done it twice?), and such is this prize’s importance that it’s fitting that this year there’s a partnership between the Yoto Carnegies and Sedbergh, England’s Book Town. I very much look forward to speaking at this day long festival, which will promote books and reading for children and young people.”
To register your interest to attend the Yoto Carnegies Book Town Takeover on 23rd April 2024 in Sedbergh, England’s Book Town, please contact carnegies@sedberghschool.org.
