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50 days to go until the start of our FREE book festival for local schools! We can't wait to welcome our sixteen presenters - a fabulous line-up of authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers. Check out the full programme here: maidenheads-big-read.org.uk/whatson.html

On your marks... Our 2022 festival begins on 1st March with our patron, Dame Katherine Grainger, reading from 'Go, Mo, Go! Dinosaur Dash' by Mo Farah. Mo suggests to his friends that they run backwards for fun. But what they hadn't bargained for was running back in TIME.

Next up, we're thrilled to welcome Arti Sharma-Grey and Jane Deane, storytellers from Once Upon a Bus. They will be delighting children aged from 4 - 7 with a choice of stories including The Gruffalo, Neverland, Dear Greenpeace and Alice in Wonderland. Promises to be lots of fun!

On Day 2 of our programme we're excited to welcome Clare Luther Clare Luther from Head 2 Heart Books. Clare writes the amazing Little Paws Hotel series - each story helps children to explore their thoughts and feelings. And we can't wait to hear more about her dachshund hotel!

Next up on Day 2 is Jenny Pearson Jenny Pearson! In her two fun and interactive sessions there will be a Super Freddie fact quiz, watermelon and socks themed World Record attempts (can't wait!), some chat about amazing oldies and time for a Q&A!

Day 3 is World Book Day, and we're delighted to be welcoming local poet and author Simon Mole back to Maidenhead's Big Read. He will be reading his picture book 'I Love My Bike' and playing fun games with the children to unlock their creative powers to write some poems. Simon Mole

Also on World Book Day we're thrilled to welcome back @KatePoels. Kate is running four creative writing sessions and will help the children to bring their stories to life by creating cool characters, super setting and powerful plots.

On 4th March, we're delighted that Chitra Soundar @csoundar will be joining us in Maidenhead for some fun, creative sessions. Chitra is an award-winning author of over 50 books. Her stories are set in India and often in Indian families, and are inspired by her own childhood.

We end week 1 of our schools programme with Will Rainey Will Rainey. Will has written Grandpa's Fortune Fables, a collection of short stories to teach children about money in a fun and engaging way. Covering topics such as saving and investing, the book is aimed at age 7+.

We're so pleased to be welcoming back festival favourite Coral Rumble. Coral will be running four poetry sessions for local primary schools on Monday 7th March, exercising the children's powers of creativity! Coral Rumble

Next up on our Poetry Day, March 7th, Simon Mole returns with sessions for years 4- 6. National Poetry Day Ambassador Simon will guide the children through a step by step process to write their very own poetry spells. We can't wait to read what they produce! Simon Mole

We end our Poetry Day with A.F Harrold, who will share poems from his latest book, ‘The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice’, along with talking about and waving around some of his other books. Expect a bit of chaos, a bit of anarchy and lots of glorious words and fun. @afharrold

Martin Brown delighted children at our virtual festival last year, so we're particularly pleased he can join us in person this year! He will be talking about his first fiction story, Nell and the Cave Bear, and there will, of course, be some drawing! Martin Brown

Nick Sharratt's virtual events for us last year were a huge success, so we're delighted that he is able to join us again. He's offering our schools a choice of two sessions this time, Funny Fairy Tales or Super Silly Museums. Both will involve lots of drawing! @NickSharratt1

On 9 March, we're very excited to be welcoming Serena Patel to Maidenhead's Big Read for the first time. Serena is author of the fabulous 'Anisha, Accidental Detective' books. We're thrilled that she will be running creative writing workshops for one lucky school. Serena Patel

Next up in our FREE schools festival is Jasbinder Bilan, author of 'Asha & The Spirit Bird', 'Tamarind & The Star of Ishta' and 'Aarti & The Blue Gods'. Jasbinder's virtual sessions will give the children lots of writing tips to help them create their own story maps. Jasbinder Bilan - I'm meant to be writing...

March 10th is the final day of our schools festival, and we end with a bang! First up is the brilliant Maz Evans, bestselling author of the amazing 'Who Let the Gods Out?', 'Vi Spy' and 'Scarlett Fife' series. For some fun, frantic fiction, look no further... @MaryAliceEvans

And last, but by no means least, we end our schools festival on 10th March with Sue Palmer, author of the May's Moon books, who will be doing two different sessions: 'Could You Be An Astronaut?' and 'Launch Your Story'. They promise to be out of this world! Sue Palmer (S.Y. Palmer)

Happy Chinese New Year, let's hope the year of the tiger is a good one! Great display of books at Maidenhead Library RBWM Library Service

Happy Publication Day to Jenny Pearson for her brilliant new book, 'Grandpa Frank's Great Big Bucket List', recommended for age 9+. We're so excited to be welcoming her to Maidenhead on 2nd March - not long to go now! Jenny Pearson