A Blackburn author is bringing back the Children’s Literature Festival to the borough for the fifth time. 

Christina Gabbitas, author of works such as her poem 'Kindness', is working with Blackburn with Darwen Council to promote more children to read and to encourage them to be inspired by local authors and illustrators.

Christina said: “We have a fantastic diverse line-up of authors and illustrators, Louie Stowell, Ben Davis, Zehra Kicks, Oli Sykes, Ian Morris, Donavan Christopher aka Rappaman, Ursula Hurst, Salma Zaman, and Hafiza Issa.

"We will be engaging with over 4,000 children from the Monday to Friday with our schools festival. Children will be attending sites such as Darwen Library, Blackburn Central Library, Cherry Tree Library, Mill Hill, and Roman Road."

The festival will be held in libraries across the borough from October 2 to 8 and is funded by Arts Council England, Darwen Town Council, Darwen Rotary, and Lloyds Trust. 

A 'Communities Day' will be held on Saturday, October 7, in Darwen from 10am to 12pm, and Blackburn Central Library from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, where children can 'Meet the Author & Illustrator' and experience read aloud interactive sessions.

In addition there are two free performances of 'Alfie’s First Fight' by Oliver Sykes in the Hornby Theatre at Blackburn Central Library on Sunday October, 9, from 11am and 2pm.

A theme for this year's festival is kindness, where Christina will be joined by local Darwen resident Danielle Tudor (BSL) for some signing sessions.

Danielle will be helping to teach the children some signing words from Christina's 'Kindness' poem.

Organisers are also encouraging children to demonstrate what kindness means to them in words and pictures, with a competition to win £100 Waterstones vouchers for the Blackburn bookshop.

Adele Karwatt, libraries manager, said: “We are once again thrilled to be working with Christina who is Patron for Children and Young Peoples for our libraries. It’s made more special that we are holding the event in Libraries Week.

"Christina is such a positive role model for our libraries. All the library team are looking forward to welcoming the children."

Blackburn and Darwen Children's Literature Festival

Tuesday October 4: For fans of the Author of Loki, Louie Stowell will be staging a book signing with at Waterstones in Blackburn from 4pm to 5pm.

Wednesday October 5: Literacy For All- Blackburn Central Library

An evening event for parents, carers and teachers from 6.30pm to 8pm in Blackburn Central Library, titled 'Literacy For All'.

Christina will be talking about her journey from a quiet and shy child to successful writer, and Founder of Children’s Literature Festivals charity.

Christina will be joined by BSL Gemma Mazza who will be interpreting the talk and Danielle Tudor will be teaching some signing words.

Saturday October 7: Communities Day Darwen Library and Blackburn Central

In both Darwen from 10am to 12pm and Blackburn central library 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Children will be given book tokens to bring back to the communities day to pick up a free book.

Sunday October 8: Theatre Production – Blackburn Central Library 

Two free performances of Alfie’s First Fight by Oliver Sykes in the Hornby Theatre.

For more information on all events, click here or email info@childrensliteraturefestivals.com