Literary events taking place again with international children’s authors Jonny Duddle and Christopher Lloyd attending

Both authors will be attending the Franschhoek Literary Festival in Franschhoek, with Christopher also attending the Kingsmead Book Fair in Johannesburg.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Now that the situation of Covid is relaxed somehow, events are starting to take place, and it feels almost like the normal of pre-Covid-19 situation, except that  it is actual not. What with the ever lingering danger of the virus in the air infecting people?.

However one of the sectors that is currently taking advantage of the situation is the literary sector, with a number of activities relating to the book trade currently taking place again.

There even are visiting authors from overseas scheduled to attend some of the literary events here in South Africa this May, Franschhoek Literary Festival in Franschhoek in the Western Cape and  Kingsmead Book Fair in Johannesburg.

“We are super-excited to announce that Jonny Duddle and Christopher Lloyd will be touching down in South Africa soon to share some awesome stories and fun activities. Jonny and Chris will both be attending the Franschhoek Literary Festival in Franschhoek in the Western Cape, with Christopher also taking a trip to Gauteng to attend the Kingsmead Book Fair in Johannesburg,” announced publisher Jonathan Ball this week.

Who is Jonny Duddle?

Jonny Duddle overheard the story of his first book, The Pirate Cruncher, while sailing on a square-rigger. Since then he has written even stranger tales including The Pirates of Scurvy Sands, The Pirates Next Door, Gigantosaurus and The King of Space. The Pirates Next Door won the Waterstones Prize in 2012 and was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He also illustrated the latest Harry Potter book covers in 2014. Now in danger. of becoming a landlubber, Jonny lives in Wales with his wife, Jane, and their daughters, Daisy and Rosie.

Who is Christopher Lloyd?

Christopher Lloyd graduated with a double-first class degree in history from Cambridge University. He became Technology Editor with The Sunday Times newspaper in London and is now a bestselling author of more than fifteen books on world history including What on Earth Happened? (Bloomsbury), the series of What on Earth Timeline Wallbooks, Absolutely Everything! and more. He is in great demand as a lecturer and public speaker throughout the world, including at TEDx talks, conferences, educational seminars, museums, festivals and schools. Christopher Lloyd lives in Tonbridge, UK. 

EVENTS:

Franschhoek Literary Festival events:

Saturday 14 May: 10:00 – 11:00
Illustrators Unite!
(SOLD OUT)

Sunday 15 May: 10:00 – 11:00
Enter Gigantosaurus!
The show features an interactive reading, a peek inside Jonny’s sketchbooks and a chance to create a fearsome pirate with Jonny.

Franschhoek Literary Festival events:

Friday 13 May: 10:00 – 11:00
The Five Wows! Developing a Lifelong Love of Learning
What’s the real point of education? Why do some children hate school? Why are teenagers so susceptible to mental health problems?… ​ These questions go to the heart of a new educational philosophy developed by educationalist and historian Christopher Lloyd. Join him on a fascinating journey into

the natural learning system of our brains, fusing educational philosophy, evolutionary biology and personal experience.

Saturday 14 May: 10:00 – 11:00
It’s Up To Us – A Children’s Terra Carta for Nature, People & Planet
Join world history author Christopher Lloyd on a visually arresting tour through 4 billion years of climate change. The show is based on the book 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘜𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘜𝘴, with a foreword by the Prince of Wales and published to coincide with COP26 in 2021. Using his coat of many pockets containing everyday objects, Lloyd will show why it’s up to us to fix our planet – and how we can do it. For ages 6 to 106!

Sunday 15 May: 11:30 – 13:30
The Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia Prize Quiz Show
Join Christopher Lloyd, editor of the Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia, in an exhilarating, family-friendly quiz show, answering questions on your cell phone. The winners of eight rounds, each based on a chapter of the Encyclopedia, will advance to the grand finale – where the Franschhoek Literary Festival / Britannica Quiz Champion of 2022 will be crowned!

Tickets for FLF cost R50 for children and R100 for adults. Tickets are availablefrom Webtickets. For the fuill festival prgramme visit flf.co.za.

Kingsmead Book Fair events in Johannesburg:

Wednesday 18 May: 18:00 – 19:00
Bringing History to Life – An evening with Chrisopher Lloyd
A fact-filled, fun talk that will entartain the whoel family.
Venue: Joel Hall, Kingsmead Junior School
Tickets cost R50 and are available here.

Saturday 21 May: 13:00 – 14:00
Join world famous author and historian Christopher Lloyd for his famous Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia Quiz Show where teams pit their general knowledge skills against each other. There will be prizes!
Age: all

Kingsmead Book Fair tickets:
Children under 12: R50 entry fee | R20 session fee

Students in school uniform: free entry | R60 session ticket
Adults: R100 entry fee | R60 session ticket.