Big DoG and Hooked will bring a bumper weekend of children and young people’s books, storytelling and other activities to Dumfries this month.
Organised by Wigtown Book Festival, it will feature some of the nation’s favourite authors from March 30 to April 2 and tickets are now on sale.
Named in honour of Nana – the big dog who looks after the Darling children in Peter Pan – Big DoG is the annual family festival for Dumfries, while, Hooked is a weekend festival for 16 to 26-year-olds and, through workshops and events, provides a gateway for the next generation of authors and artists.
Activities will take place during the four days at Moat Brae, which is Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling in George Street, and other venues in Dumfries – The Jolly Roger, 115 High Street; Ewart Library, Catherine Street; and The Stove Network, 100 High Street.
Andy Stewart, Big DoG’s executive producer, said: “It’s going to be a great weekend. Moat Brae is such a great place to hold a festival celebrating literature for children and young adults.
“It’s such a fun line-up including storytelling by some of the country’s best authors, model-making, drawing and lots more.
“Everything’s designed to fire young imaginations and help share our love of children’s literature.
“Some events are free – like our garden party – and we are trying to keep prices affordable because we want as many people as possible to join us for the weekend.”
Advance tickets can be obtained from Moat Brae 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday (01387 255549); Number 11, Wigtown, 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday (01988 403222); or online at www.wigtownbookfestival.com.
During the festival, tickets can be purchased on the door if an event is not sold out, or at the Big DoG headquarters, bookshop and box office which will be set up at 109 High Street, Dumfries.
Among the authors coming to Moat Brae is Jack Meggitt-Phillips, whose book The Beast and the Bethany was named by David Walliams as one of his top Christmas reads. His children’s series is about a young 500-year-old, a hungry beast, and a rebellious prankster who’s about to be eaten.
Jack said: “The beast and I can’t wait to eat... I mean, meet... the children of Dumfries and Galloway. I love running creative writing sessions with children, and seeing all the wonderful, and often worryingly terrifying, tales that spill out of their imaginations.”
There will also be an appearance by record-holding Paralympian swimmer, Ellie Robinson, who recently published her first book Gold Medal Mysteries, which she’ll be reading from. As audiences for Ellie’s event can buy exclusive advance copies of the book, they’ll be some of the first people anywhere to read it.
Big DoG will also welcome Alex Foulkes, a writer of spooky tales for children, who is the author of the Rules for Vampires series. She is already well-known to youngsters in the region having been part of the Big DoG Schools Tour which brought authors to more than 2,500 pupils in 53 schools across the region.
Alex said: “I’m so lucky to have met fantastically imaginative young readers and writers in Dumfries and Galloway last year. Thank you so much to the Big DoG team for making this adventure possible – and I can’t wait to visit Dumfries again for the Big DoG festival. See you all soon for vampires, books and a huge celebration of reading.”
There will also be the chance for youngsters to make their own Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and other much-loved animated TV and movie characters at a special workshop run by top Aardman model-maker Jim Parkyn.
Jim said: “I am thrilled to be coming to the Big DoG festival. I have a big dog and will be bringing him along as well. Looking forward to playing with clay with everyone in Dumfries.”
Vivian French, a storyteller who has published more than 300 titles, will be there with illustrator Ross Collins for an interactive event The Newest Story in the Whole Wide World.
Vivian said: “Big DoG is one of the highlights of my year. I’ve never not had a fabulous time.”
There will be the chance to meet celebrated illustrator Allen Fatimaharan and Gavin Puckett to hear the tale of Blanksy the Street Cat.
Allen, who is this year’s World Book Day illustrator, said: “We can’t wait to bring Blanksy the Street Cat to Big DoG festival.
“I’m particularly looking forward to seeing all the fantastically imaginative artwork from the draw-along and workshop.
“Moat Brae looks like a fantastic venue for Blanksy to unleash his artistic creativity and I’m excited to visit Dumfries for the first time.”
There will be a drop-in draw along with Tom Morgan-Jones – who wants help to make the biggest picture in Dumfries – and the chance to create magical stories with Liz Flanagan.
Big DoG is supported by Baillie Gifford and will also see Moat Brae’s team offer a packed programme of themed events including an amazing chocolatey strand marking 21 years of Scots language publisher, Itchy Coo, by celebrating Chairlie and the Chocolate Works by Roald Dahl, translated by Matthew Fitt.
There’s also a free family garden party in the gardens at Moat Brae from noon on April 1, with storytelling, puppet theatre, music and face painting. Refreshments and a barbecue will be available.
Moat Brae’s Mairi Kidd said: “Our mission at Moat Brae is to inspire children and young people and their families to have fun with books. We are so looking forward to the Big DoG festival which is packed with chances to meet authors and illustrators, hear about amazing new books and rediscover old favourites, and get hands on with writing, drawing and making.”
The Hooked events for young people include an introduction to theatre design from Scottish Opera, offering the behind-the-scenes magic of theatre with set and costume designer Finlay McLay.
There will also be a chance to learn cover design in the Judge a Book by its Cover workshop, and design challenge with Leah McDowell, art and production director of Floris Books.
