Baillie Gifford Schools Programme 2018
20-28 August 2018

This year’s Book Festival Baillie Gifford Schools Programme challenges young minds to think about what freedom means to them, and to other young people around the world, with well-known writers, illustrators and performers from far and wide coming along to share their perspectives. There are more than 50 events for pupils of all ages designed to entertain, educate, enthral and inspire.

For younger pupils
Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon (P1-P3) returns to the Festival to introduce her latest Viking tale; star of CBeebies’ Mr Bloom’s Nursery, Ben Faulks (P1-P3) brings games, songs and silliness; and draw along with Edinburgh-based author and illustrator Emily MacKenzie (P1-P2) as you create your own version of Eric the Panda from Eric Makes a Splash.

For older pupils
Spend a hilarious hour with Britain’s biggest author David Walliams (P3-P7) as he reads from Bad Dad; learn about overcoming obstacles with Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan (P4-S1); and discover the stories of inspirational black men and women from history and the present day as Andrea Pippins (P3-P6) presents Young, Gifted and Black.

For senior school students
Be drawn into CILIP Carnegie Medal winner Melvin Burgess‘s (S5-S6) much-anticipated new novel, The Lost Witch; hear a selection of Book Festival authors reading the words of former refugees who have found sanctuary in Amnesty International: Refugee Voices (S1-S3); and mark 100 years since the first women in Britain won the right to vote as you explore Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls (S1-S3). 

Accessible Event for pupils with learning disabilities
On 23 August, poet and musician James Carter leads a gentle but fully interactive event for pupils of all ages with severe learning disabilities including PMLD. You can expect lots of fun rhythmic poems and wonderful instrumental music.

CPL events for teachers
Our Career-long Professional Learning events aim to give you inspiring new ideas to try out in the classroom. This year we consider innovative ways of teaching pupils about the natural world and human rights; explore how to introduce young ones to art; and discuss the gifts and challenges of dyslexia. We’re also prescribing some practical poetry for teachers and librarians to help improve happiness and wellbeing.

And lots more…
Other authors and illustrators appearing this year include Terry Deary, Cathy Forde, Brian Conaghan, Tracey Corderoy, Steven Butler, Alex Bell, Ehsan Abdollahi, Theresa Breslin, Muhammad Khan, Jonny Duddle and many more…

Plus, on Baillie Gifford Gala Day (28 Aug), we’ll be celebrating our favourite book baddies as Charlotte Square Gardens is transformed into a magical space exclusively for primary schools. 

Booking opens on Thursday 26 April so download the brochure now to discover all the great events on offer.

You can find out more about How to Book on this site, or on p.39 of the brochure.

If you would like to receive a printed copy of the brochure, please send your name and postal address to mailinglist@edbookfest.co.uk

To make your visit to the Book Festival as affordable as possible, we offer various schemes:

£3 Baillie Gifford Book Voucher for every pupil who attends
25% book discount for schools
Baillie Gifford Transport Fund

We hope you enjoy browsing the 2018 Baillie Gifford Schools Programme and we look forward to seeing you at the Book Festival in August!