Iceberg!

My head’s still in Ipswich…

I realise that I didn’t explain anything about the festival It is a huge event. It runs for a full week with programs for primary school kids during the week days and some further sessions for adults on the weekend. The most startling fact about the festival is that it is free for the children. The schools simply have to book in. I would have loved to have a chance to meet and learn from authors and illustrators when I was a kid! And with no fee attached the experience can be shared by all children, not just the privileged schools. Some still find the bus hard to afford, showing just how little money there is to spare in some schools… but it was a fantastic turnout.

And check out this list of presenters! Anita Bell, Janeen Brian, Mark Carthew, Anna Ciddor, Lindsay Cripps, Justin D’Ath, Tony Davis, Brian Falkner, Sandy Fussell, Pat Flynn, Simon French, Matt Dray, Ann Haddon, Simon Higgins, Scott Monk, Josie Montano, Boori Pryor, Frances Watts, Terry “bindi” Denton, Brian Doyle, Elise Hurst, Ann “Iceberg” James, Marc “Spooky” McBride, David Miller, Jan Ormerod, Andrew Plant, Donna Rawlins, Kim Toft, Liz Flynn, Michael Bauer, Lachlan Creagh, Lee FullARTon (PANI), Belinda Jeffrey, Lucia Masciullo, Charlotte McConaghy, Kristina Schulz, Robyn Sheahan-Bright, Leonie Tyle, Michelle Witheyman-Crump.

And here’s my favourite picture of the week… Count Congo.

A motorcross-riding blood-sucking gorilla.