Children’s BookFest Bognor 2024
6th - 7th February 2024
The BookFest bounced into Bognor on 6 th and 7 th February, with 9 authors visiting 7 schools, giving 18 presentations to 1650 children - and the Children’s BookFest charity (CBF) bought a brand new book for every single one of them.
The BookFest Bognor included picture-book writers Lawrence Roberts, Matt Carr and Simon Philip, who brought their magical stories to hundreds of Key Stage One children at Rose Green Infants, Bersted Green Primary School and Downview Primary School. Key Stage Two wasn’t forgotten either, with award-winning authors such as Iszi Lawrence, Jenny McLachlan, Lucy Brandt, Gareth P Jones, David Owen as well as the extraordinary SF Said bringing a whole host of puppets and musical instruments as well as wonderful words and exciting ideas to pupils and teachers alike. School staff reported that lots of the children hugged their books and couldn’t wait to start reading them. Lace, in Year 3 at Edward Bryant School, summed up beautifully the power of the BookFest, saying, ‘Are the books really free? This is my first book, the only book I’ve ever owned!’
Of course, the other, vital ingredient of the success of this festival is the dedication of its volunteers. As with many small charities in the region, all the Trustees of CBF are unpaid, but during the BookFests every single author is matched with a local volunteer steward. They make sure each event goes as smoothly as possible, whether that be by driving authors to and from schools, helping with book-signing, taking photographs, providing lunch, making tea - you name it, these superstars will be on it. It’s a wonderful thing to do for the authors but also for the children and teachers, who evidently appreciate the support and relish the chance to strengthen the local community with these kinds of intergenerational connections.
Raising enough money to buy so many books takes huge amounts of work throughout the year. CBF aims to gift books to at least 6000 children and visit a minimum of 37 schools across 2024 - and there are many more schools who would love to be involved if enough funds can be raised.
