04-11-2015
Dubai, 4 November, 2015: What do Jacqueline Wilson, Garth Nix and Lauren Child have in common? They are all children’s authors attending the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in 2016 and are also part of the exclusive club of nominees for the Oscars of children’s literature.
Barely a week after the phenomenal launch of the 2016 Festival, nominations of the prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal featuring a selection of the finest writers and illustrators confirmed for next year’s Festival.
Held under the aegis of the Emirates Literature Foundation, the Festival organisers place particular importance on the children’s programme. Yvette Judge, Assistant Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature said, ‘The children’s programme is a key focus at the Festival and a massive draw for students all over the region. Reading from a young age, especially reading for pleasure, has huge benefits throughout one’s life.
‘The CILIP awards are the UK’s oldest and most prestigious in children’s literature and we are extremely excited to see several of our 2016 authors on the list. I feel it’s a true testament of the status of the Festival that it attracts the crème de la crème of the literary world year upon year. What an extraordinary chance for youngsters and adults alike to meet all these incredible writers under one roof.’
The CILIP Carnegie Medal, instituted in 1936, is awarded for writing and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded for illustration. Of the writing nominees, poet and writer John Agard (Book), A. F. Harrold (The Imaginary), fantasy author Garth Nix (Clariel), Lauren St. John (The Glory) and Festival favourite Jacqueline Wilson (Katy) will all be attending the 2016 Festival. Previous Festival guests Tim Bowler and David Walliams have also been nominated.
Illustrator and writer Lauren Child, whose latest book New Small Person will feature heavily in the 2016 programme has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
The Festival’s extensive children’s programme includes panels, workshops, sessions and competitions as well as opportunities to showcase students’ creative performances on the Fringe Stage.
For the complete list of authors, visit the website at www.emirateslitfest.com/authors
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