Award-winning illustrator heading to festival

Former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell will be at the Jersey Festival of Words

The former Children's Laureate will be part of a series of events at the 2024 Jersey Festival of Words, it has been announced.

Organisers of the festival, which takes place from 20 to 29 September, said illustrator Chris Riddell will also be designing the cover of this year's programme.

Among the events Mr Riddell will be attending is a live-drawing and music session at the Blue Note Bar on 27 September alongside songwriter Sam Falle - known as Winterfalle on stage - and other performers, organisers said.

Meanwhile, festival sponsors Highvern announced it was launching a bookmark design competition for schoolchildren in the island.

'Exciting prospect'

The festival said Mr Riddell is also featuring at another live-drawing event alongside poet and comedian John Henry Falle, who is known for his Storybeast act, looking at folktales from Jersey.

Paul Bisson, the festival's vice-chair, said organisers were excited to have Mr Riddell at the event.

"Even more exciting is the prospect of seeing him in live collaboration with the formidable twin talents of Story Beast and Winterfalle in what promises to be a unique series of interpretive events," he said.

'Captivating younger readers'

Highvern said its bookmark competition was open to students in years three to eight at schools in the island.

The sponsor said it wants entrants to base their designs on their favourite book characters or the festival itself.

Martin Hall, Highvern's chief executive, said: "This year's line-up of authors is sure to captivate younger readers, and we hope that the bookmark competition will not only spark excitement among budding bookworms but also inspire more participation in the festival's events and school workshops."

Entries are open until 19 June.