Charleston Festival offers top names for young authors

Festival spokeswoman Carole Buchan said: “Four of their favourite authors will be talking about their books, what inspires them and which books they read when they were children. “Appearing on the Charleston stage over the weekends of May 21 and 22; 28 and 29 are Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo; Lauren Child, Philip Reeve and Jessie Burton. “The talks, aimed at eight to fourteen year olds, range from what it feels to be an outsider; living more harmoniously with the planet; how to create memorable characters and how to build magical worlds. “There will be a chance for the youngsters to bring along their own books to be signed by the authors.” Jacqueline Wilson, author of the Tracy Beaker books, in an interview with Carole Buchan this week, says she has probably always championed the outsider. “I suppose I’m more interested in a child going through a difficult time, rather than the most popular boy or girl in the class,” she said. She always loved reading as a child and found books enormously comforting , enlightening and enriching. She made up her own games when she was little and started writing them down as stories when she grew older. “My home life was turbulent, “ she added “so perhaps I have a particular understanding of children who aren’t enjoying a happy-go-lucky childhood.” Michael Morpurgo, who has written about the First World War in War Horse and Private Peaceful, says children have to know the world they are living in – the good, the joyful, the ugly, the sad. “They have to know the cruelty and tragedy of war, “ he says “as well as the beauty of the world about them. Above all it is important there is hope in the stories they read – a light in the darkness.” Have you read: Grace: why tonight's episode confirmed Brighton-based detective series as essential viewing Have you read: Downton Abbey - those all important Sussex connections Have you read: Grace: why Roy Grace creator Peter James is so delighted with John Simm’s portrayal of his Brighton-based detective Have you read: Petworth Festival: This is when it is being held, here are the names of those appearing, and this is how to obtain tickets Have you read: Hastings panto announced Have you read: Exploring the great joys of the South Downs Way Have you read: So many reasons to celebrate as Chichester's Pallant House Gallery marks 40 yearsHave you read: Search begins for 2022 Sussex Young Musician Have you read: The Art of Chichester: 60 Years of Creativity - major new exhibition Have you read: Everything you need to know: Chichester Festival Theatre summer 2022 A book about loss and hope A remarkable tale of recovery from a rare form of cancer New book inspired by days out with the family