ONE of the cutest things to come out of this year’s Readers and Writers Festival will no doubt be the hedgehogs created from old books, one of many free youth events to be put on as part of the festival.
Under the watchful eye of volunteers and instructors, children can participate in a range of activities during the festival such as the hedgehog creation, for the first time running parallel with adult events.
Festival director Helen Allan said this was an attempt to encourage a younger audience to come along and become involved.
“Every year preceding the adult event we run a week-long Young Readers and Writers Festival which takes authors and illustrators to primary schools to talk to the children about their work,” she said.
“We are doing that again this year, but have also expanded to include additional talks on the Friday at the recreation centre by John Marsden and Isobelle Carmody for older primary students and high school students, and some free children’s events on the Saturday.
“We hope this will allow more of a family feel, so mum or dad could take the children to the littlies events and give their partner the opportunity to sit in on some of the adult events, knowing everyone is having fun.”
Ms Allan said story telling for children and hedgehog making would run from 10am-3pm on May 30 and people could just come along.
For information more information call phone 9758 7316 or visit artsmargaretriver.com.