Book festival blasts off!

Europe’s largest free children’s literary event, the Northern Children’s Book Festival (NCBF), had a supersonic launch with the help of Mortimer Community College students. To help the festival blast off in style, book-loving students from the college launched a high-powered rocket to symbolise how ‘Out of this World’ the festival is going to be. The air-powered rocket is capable of travelling over 60 metres (200 ft) and was helped along by Year 7 students from the college. The rocket took off from a specially constructed NCBF platform, helped along by 11-12 year old students and Head of Mortimer Community College, Claire Mullane. The Northern Children’s Book Festival (NCBF) is a two-week literary celebration taking place in venues throughout the North East and culminates in a Gala Day at the South Shields College on 20th November. Claire Mullane, Head of Mortimer Community College, said: “The rocket launch was a fantastic way to bring the festival to life. “The students are really looking forward to the college hosting the festival’s Gala Day. “We’re delighted to be involved with the festival and are pleased that so many top authors are taking part.” Janice Hall, Chair of NCBF, said: “Reading is all about imagination and creativity and that’s what this year’s festival illustrates. The ‘Out of This World’ theme has been chosen to reflect the haunted houses, ferocious dinosaurs and wacky space aliens featured in many of the best children’s books. “NCBF is a unique opportunity for children, and parents, to meet their favourite authors and talk about the books they love. “We’ve secured over 40 well known writers, poets and illustrators who will be performing book readings, leading workshops and taking part in signings throughout the festival period.” NCBF encourages children to enjoy reading and develop an appreciation of high quality literature, as well as highlighting the many free services available in libraries across the region. Authors including Dr Who writer Chris Bradford and international best-seller Robert Crowther will be attending this year’s festival as well as North East-born author and illustrator Liz Million. The 2010 Festival runs from the 8th – 20th November, culminating in a Gala Day event on the 20 November at Mortimer Community College. The theme of this year’s Festival is ‘Out of this World’. Over 40 popular children’s authors will be taking part over the two weeks, running activities, workshops and reading sessions in schools and libraries across the region. For more information visit www.ncbf.co.uk ~ENDS~ Notes to editors We’ve got a number of quotes available from the authors that are taking part in the festival including Chris Bradford and Robert Crowther.

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