4 May 2009

Line up of authors for children's literary festival unveiled

Anne Fine, former children’s Laureate and author of the novel that inspired the Hollywood smash hit comedy Mrs Doubtfire, is heading up the exciting line-up of children’s authors confirmed at this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

One of the world’s best-loved writers of books for children, Anne Fine will be reading extracts from her new book, ‘Eating Things On Sticks’, when she appears in Dundee on Thursday, April 25th.

Alan Durant, Joan Lingard and Natalie Russell, the author of Hamish the Highland Cow, will also be talking to hundreds of young people as part of the Festival’s children’s programme.

The 2009 event builds on the success of the first two Dundee Literary Festival’s, and this year’s line-up features an array of authors and inexpensive events that will appeal to young book-lovers, according to Festival Director Anna Day.

She said, 'We have a fantastic line up for children again this year, and I hope that by keeping our prices so low we will encourage as many schools as possible to come along.'

'Hundreds of children and young adults attended last year’s events, and this programme is better than ever. Having renowned authors such as Anne Fine, Alan Durant, Joan Ligard and Natalie Russel taking part is fantastic, and we hope that as many young people as possible get the change to attend.'

Anne Fine is the author of more than 50 children’s books, including ‘Madame Doubtfire’ which was adapted for the big screen hit starring Robin Williams. Her humorous and thought-provoking novels lead to her being made Children’s Laureate in 2001 and being awarded an OBE two years later.

She will be appearing in Dundee on Thursday, June 25th, speaking to P7 and S1 and S2 pupils. The event takes place at 2pm.

Alan Durant will be reading from his successful books, aimed at the S1 to S4 age group, at 10.30am on June 25th before conducting a workshop that afternoon. His characters include the lovable day dreamer Spider McDrew, Arnold James Kean (alias Stat Man), as well as the Bad Boyz and Leggs United football teams.

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 Gods 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