We are very proud to announce that Nick Sharratt - illustrator of the You Choose and author of Shark in the Park and The Cat and King - will be the first patron of Bournville BookFest.
Nick is one of our best-loved authors, teaching huge audiences of young children how to draw in his trademark cartoon style, with wit and good humour. He took part in the hilarious highlight of 2018's festival, The Big Drawing Challenge, where five illustrators were put on the spot to sketch suggestions from audience members.
Nick has loved being part of the BookFest story as we've grown - and he's going to use his expertise and influence to put us firmly on the literary map.
"Bournville Bookfest is just fantastic," says Nick. "Each year it comes up with an amazingly exciting and vibrant programme of events for 0-12 year olds, involving a dazzling array of authors and illustrators, artists and performers. It runs sessions and workshops of every possible kind, to stimulate, inspire and entertain young minds. "It's a truly inclusive festival, with a strong focus on events for children with special needs, and its spectacular schools programme, growing annually, is now available to children all across Birmingham.
"I am so delighted to be patron of Bournville BookFest. It takes the most incredible team to put together a festival as good as this. It also takes wonderful sponsors to make it happen. I must say that I've enjoyed myself enormously as a participant. I just can't wait to see what the next brilliant Bournville Bookfest will bring!"
Director Sarah Mullen said: "We couldn't be more delighted that Nick has become our first patron and we're really looking forward to working with him as we develop Bournville BookFest over the years ahead.
"We delight in bringing together children, authors and stories to inspire a new generation of book-lovers, and we're committed to creating an affordable, fun and accessible programme for everyone, including children and parents with additional needs and disabilities.
"I know that as we seek funding and support, Nick's imagination and flair will help us every step of the way."
Bournville BookFest is run by Busy Parents Network on a not-for-profit basis and will take place next year from 14th to 24th March 2019.
If you're interested in sponsoring Bournville BookFest contact Sarah Mullen on [email protected] or Sala Davies on [email protected].