CHILDREN’S LITFEST 2025 ROUND-UP:
The festival opened with 60 children from Marlborough St Mary’s singing on the steps of the Town Hall in the sunshine, followed later in the day by sixth-formers from St John’s Marlborough debating whether it is ever morally right to censor literature. It was an excellent debate, with many questions from the audience, culminating in the decision that no, we should not censor literature. The pupils spoke articulately, with passion and conviction – an excellent way to begin the festival weekend.
Free author events in Calne, Pewsey, Marlborough and new for this year, Devizes, for local primary schools reached around 1900 children this year, inspiring pupils to both read for pleasure and to become writers themselves. Wiltshire Libraries hosted Lizzie Lewis from Tall Tales Theatre, youth director at The Watermill Theatre, who entranced her young audience with a performances of Rumpelstiltskin in Pewsey and Marlborough in the lead-up to the festival and then of the original production of Marina Sets Sail at the White Horse Bookshop on Sunday.
Over the festival weekend children were entertained by award winning novelist Jessie Burton, who took children into the world of Mudlarking and magical finds. Author Carrie Sellon came armed with her case of magical potions and everyone had the chance to design their own magical pizza. Finally, acclaimed illustrator Thiago de Moraes, took everyone into the world of mythical gods and creatures and again children had the opportunity to create their own mythical animal.
LitFest has worked alongside more local partners than ever this year with free storytelling events at The Parade Cinema alongside children’s craft sessions led by Aldbourne Children’s Book Group. Once Upon a Trail was also back this year,with clues for children’s books hidden in more than 20 businesses along the High Street, encouraging everyone to join in with Children’s LitFest.