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Perth Writers’ Festival 2009 – kids’ events!

Did you know that the Perth Writers’ Festival has kids’ events? As part of the Festival, look out for Perth Writers Festival Family Day – a free day of activities for children and their parents on Sunday 1 March at the University of Western Australia for ages 1 to 12! You can register to receive the full program of events by going to the Perth Writers’ Festival website. The program is due out at the end of January.

In the line-up of events, there’s even a children’s stand-up comedian – James Campbell – visiting from the UK! This is what the Perth Writers’ Festival has to say about him:

Warm up your funny bones for the world’s only stand-up comedian for children. Think there is no such thing?  Think again.  James’ unique style covers everything from parents to Playstations, why we have hair and what he had for breakfast.  Top quality stuff for children over the age of 6, their parents and anyone
who likes comedy without the rude words.  And there might even be an otter – but probably not.

He belongs on stage  THE NEW YORK TIMES

The best sort of absurdist comedy there is  THE GUARDIAN

I should have given him six stars – just too brilliant  SUNDAY HERALD

My seven-year-old was howling with laughter and so was I  DAILY MAIL

His stand-up has achieved almost holy status – don’t miss   SUNDAY TIMES

James Campbell is a stand-up comedian for children who talks about topics relevant to kids or anyone who has ever been a kid – everything from parents, Playstations and breakfast foods to deeply philosophical questions like ‘why we have hair?’ His show is aimed at children aged six and above, their parents and anyone who enjoys top-quality comedy without the swearing.

James has made numerous appearances at the Edinburgh Festival, including shows in the Ballroom of the prestigious Assembly Rooms (2004) and at the Spiegeltent (from 2005 to 2007) He has performed his Comedy 4 Kids show at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Hay-on-Wye literary festival, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Comedy Store (London) and many UK comedy festivals. His largest audience to date is 4000 children at the Royal Albert Hall. James regularly hosts special events for charities and frequently works as MC for the Ulster Symphony Orchestra narrating such works as  Peter and the Wolf.  He completed a highly acclaimed Broadway season at The New Victory Theatre in New York in 2006 and began an extensive tour of Canada in 2007, which will continue in Spring 2008.

James also writes plays, poems, articles and songs.

For more info about James Campbell, you can visit his website: www.jamescampbell.info.

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Sydney Writers’ Festival School Days 2009 (advance notice!)

Join Sydney Writers’ Festival for School Days 2009!

School Days 2009 cover
School Days 2009 cover

If you love books, reading and creative writing then Sydney Writers’ Festival’s School Days is an event just for you. This is your very own festival of children’s literature, featuring a handpicked line-up of writers for both primary- and secondary-school-aged children.

This is a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by, and learn from, your favourite writers in a fun, educational and interactive day. The writers will talk about their craft, read from their work and answer your questions. You also have the chance to meet the writers and have your books signed.

The Primary School Days line-up features some of Australia’s best-loved authors for children, Morris Gleitzman, Tristan Bancks, Danny Katz, Mitch Vane and Catherine Bateson, as well as the UK’s ‘Queen of Tween’, Cathy Cassidy.

They will be appearing at Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay on Monday 18 May, Riverside Theatres in Parramatta on Tuesday 19 May and the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith on Wednesday 20 May.

The Secondary School Days program features award-winning UK writer Mal Peet, as well as bestselling Australian authors Isobelle Carmody, Randa Abdel-Fattah, James Roy and Garth Nix.

You can catch them at Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay on Tuesday 19 May, and Riverside Theatres in Parramatta on Wednesday 20 May.

Families and school groups are welcome. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

For full program details and booking information visit www.swf.org.au/school-days.

(Text courtesy of Linly Goh)