Children's Literature Festival

Authors and illustrators lead talks and workshops linked to the museum's 'Once upon a Wartime' exhibition. Michael Morpurgo talks about 'War Horse' and other stories of conflict (11am Aug 13; £6; all ages); Marcia Williams talks about her book 'Archie's War' (3pm Aug 13; £6; age 7+); Michelle Magorian reads from and discusses 'Goodnight Mister Tom' (11am Aug 14; £6; all ages); Michelle Magorian reads extracts from her book 'Back Home' and talks about why the wartime era has been an inspiration (3pm Aug 14; £6; all ages); 'Play in a Day' workshop to devise a play inspired by the 'Once upon a Wartime' exhibition, led by Polka Theatre (10.30am-3.30pm Aug 15; £25; age 7-12); Jane Seraillier gives an illustrated talk about her father Ian's novel, 'The Silver Sword' (11am Aug 16; £6; age 10+); 'The Colour of Home', an illustration workshop led by Karin Littlewood (1.30-4pm Aug 18; £15; age 7-12); Bernard Ashley discusses how he develops characters and style in his war stories set in Africa and Britain (11am Aug 19; £6; age 10-17); Bernard Ashley reads extracts from his WWII stories, including 'Ronnie's War' (3pm Aug 19; £6; age 8-13); 'Play in a Day' workshop to devise a play inspired by the 'Once upon a Wartime' exhibition, led by Polka Theatre (10.30am-3.30pm Aug 21; £25; age 7-12); Maurice Gleitzman talks about the challenges of writing the 'Once' trilogy (3pm Aug 21; £6; age 9+).