In association with

Download Poetry Tips from John Foster who will be one of the judges of the the Competition Here: John Foster’s Poetry Tips

Please submit entries to: 

Bookfeast, 301 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NY by 30th March 2012.

Prizewinners will be notified by Monday 30^th April 2012.

This year the form is poetry and the topic is The Environment. Children can choose any aspect of the natural world. The subject may be a particular habitat or particular animal(s) and be either a celebration of, or show concern for the environment. The judges will be looking for an original approach to the topic and an appropriate use of form.

The poem can be up to 40 lines in length, clearly written on A4 paper, or typed.   

Entries must be the original work of the entrant who must be in KS2 in the school year 2011-12, from schools in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Over £700 worth of PRIZES!

Download the Entry Rules Here: The Bookfeast Creative Writing Competition rules and prizes 2012 (3)

http://www.bookfeast.net/what-we-do/primary-school-projects/

We are delighted to confirm that the Bookfeast Schools’ Festival 2012 will take place between Wednesday 23^rd and Friday 25^th May at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum.

There will be a range of over 20 events and workshops suitable for children in primary school year groups 1-6.

Authors, illustrators and poets who will be there include: 

Michael Rosen, John Foster, Paul Cookson, Jeanne Willis, Kjartan Poskitt, Lauren Child, Gill Lewis, Sarah McIntyre, Liz Pichon, James Carter, Sally Grindley … and more to be confirmed!

We will be offering participating schools the opportunity to take part in Story Trails around the Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museums, organised by the education teams from the two Museums. So, why not plan to make a real day of it and bring packed lunches!  We are pleased to be able to offer coach subsidies to schools once again, and our ticket prices remain at £3.00 per child, accompanying adults free.

Full details about the line-up of authors and how to book tickets will be mailed to you in mid-February, so look out for our Bookfeast Schools’ Festival Application Pack.

Any queries please contact celia.maclachlan@bookfeast.net or call 01865 514149

After a team of Blackwell’s staff read through all the stories, local author John Foster judged the finalists together with Kate Stilborn, Blackwell’s Area Manager.  The last six stories were put forward to an exciting prize giving ceremony for the nomiated writers. 

We’re excited to be able to share the winning stories with you.  Enjoy! 

• Winning Story, Thena Brooker, West Kidlington Primary School

Download the story here: 1st Place – Thena Brooker

• 2nd Place, Seraphina Goeldner Thompson, St Aloysius Catholic Primary School

Download the story here: 2nd Place – Seraphina

• 3rd Place, Kerena Norris, Bishop Loveday School

Download the story here: 3rd Place – Kerena Norris

• 4th Place, Konstantin Nomerotski, St Michael’s CofE Primary School

Download the story here: 4th Place – Konstantin Nomerotski

• 5th Place, Lauren Durnall, Thomas Reade Primary School

Download the story here: 5th Place – Lauren Durnall

• 6th Place, Jacob Willis, Charlton Primary School

Download the story here: 6th Place – Jacob Willis

We’re also delighted to share the winnder of a ‘highly commended’ award:

• Shola Enowonlu, Windmill Primary School

Download the story here: Highly Commended – Shola Enwonwu

WELL DONE to the winners and all who entered – we had an imaginative selection of stories which we all enjoyed reading.

We had some really positive feedback about the new approach and new venues introduced this year. Some of the authors told us what they thought:

“My brother and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Bookfeast Schools Festival with its original and engaging approach to making reading fun for children of all ages. The wonderful space of the Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museums and the ever-evolving Story Museum were integral in captivating the imagination and inspiring new stories from all those present – creators and young readers alike! We look forward to contributing further to this remarkable festival as it grows and grows.” (Comic book creators Robin & Lorenzo Etherington who spoke to over 200 children at two lively and entertaining workshops about how to write and illustrate stories)

“Thank you for inviting me to such a great event – the venue was great and the children were a treat!” (Author)

We had some new volunteers helping us out this year who had good things to say about the Festival:

“I enjoyed the Bookfeast Schools Festival very much. As a child, I loved reading and it is wonderful, as well as important, to have a festival like Bookfeast that undoubtedly will inspire future generations. I certainly would have loved to have met my favourite authors and heard them talk about their books when I was at school. The location chosen for the festival was perfect for firing imaginations too, it couldn’t have been better placed. Long may it continue to inspire!” (Jayne, Volunteer)

“It was great to see how excited the children were about meeting and having the author sign their books. The mix of sitting listening to the author and the activity of the story trail was a good idea, and great variety for the children.” (Gary, Volunteer)

“The location was great, magical for the kids – particularly the dead animals and all of those scary things to look at! The Pitt Rivers and Oxford University Museum of Natural History are a great combination of “magical” and “serious”. Every child I spoke to enjoyed the day – I think it made them feel part of a “grown up” world. As the children filed in lots of them said “wow” when they saw the theatre!” (Lynda, Volunteer)

We are delighted that our Sponsor’s Blackwells felt that the festival hit the mark:

“From our perspective the week was a success and a huge pleasure to be involved with. The cooperation and friendliness [of those involved] was wonderful. My feedback is 110% positive.”

There are some photos of the Bookfeast Schools Festival 2001 on the home page, provided courtesy of Tei Williams.

Book groups held in daycare and residential homes for older people.