16 June 2009

Hundreds of Dundee schoolchildren to attend literary events

Around 300 schoolchildren from the Dundee area will later this month take part in a series of events aimed at improving standards of literacy and an understanding of science as part of this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

The programme for the University of Dundee-organised Festival, was been devised in conjunction with Dundee Science Centre and Dundee City Council’s Education Department.

Each participating child will receive a copy of the Crazy Creatures, a book written by Gill Arbuthnott, as part of the drive to provide a fun way of getting children interested in reading.

Festival director Anna Day said she had worked closely with teachers to devise events that will be both fun and educational. 'Hundreds of children and young adults will attend these events and, appropriately, the programme we are putting on for them is fantastic,' she said.

'I’m sure that having renowned authors taking part will inspire more children to enjoy reading and help to encourage literacy and an interest in science.'

Anne Fine, former children’s Laureate and author of the novel that inspired the Hollywood smash hit comedy Mrs Doubtfire will appear in Dundee at 2pm on Thursday, June 25th.

One of the world’s best-loved writers of books for children, she will be reading from her new book, ‘Eating Things On Sticks’, to P7 and S1 and S2 pupils.

An award-winning children’s writer with a career spanning four decades, Joan Lingard will be talking to students from the P6-S2 age group at 10.30am on Tuesday, June 23rd, Her books are widely read in schools across the UK and she will be discussing some of her many hugely popular novels.

Dundee-based author Natalie Russell will read from her books, aimed at P1-3 pupils, at 10.30am on Friday, June 26th. Her enchanting tales and illustrations most famously star Hamish the Highland cow, and Natalie will also be hosting a free public event for under-fives at 10.30am the following day.

All events take place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, and - with the exception of the free Saturday event - all cost £2 per pupil for entry. Tickets are available by calling 01382 384413 or emailing literarydundee@gmail.com.

The Dundee Literary Festival is now in its third year, and is bigger than ever, with star authors from the fields of philosophy, fiction, politics and poetry set to appear in Dundee. They include David Peace, renowned author of The Damned United and the Red-Riding Quartet and Straw Dogs writer John Gray.

Talks, book signings, workshops and other events take place across four days. The full programme for the Dundee Literary Festival is available online at www.dundeeliteraryfest.org.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk