There's still an opportunity to meet authors during their signing sessions! Books for signing will be available for purchase on the day. Paul Cookson www.paulcooksonpoet.co.uk Audience participation is non-negotiable, laughter is inevitable and ukuleles are ever present. Be prepared for a whirlwind performance of poetry, puns and jokes with festival favourite Paul Cookson. Age: 7-11 years Sessions: 10:00am & 1:00pm Signings: 11:15am & 2:15pm Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore www.the2steves.net The 2 Steves are back with Action Dogs, the coolest canines around! Join the magnificent mutts as they battle to save the helpless humans from the evil schemes of their fiendish arch-enemy Katmanchew! A real doggie treat that will keep your nose wet and your tail wagging! A fun-filled family show for all. Age: 7+ years Sessions: 11:30am & 2:30pm Signings: 12:45am & 3:45pm Steve Cole www.stevecolebooks.co.uk In a fun-filled, frantic session Steve will reveal the loopy origins of his many creations, give story-writing tips, show you how to dream up your own funny ideas, and make plenty of atrocious jokes... It's everything you ever wanted to know about time-travelling cows, space-dinosaurs and monster superheroes but were too afraid to ask! Age: 7-11 years Sessions: 10:00am & 1:00pm Signings: 11:15am & 2:15pm Sally Nicholls www.sallynicholls.com Come and meet Stockton's very own award-winning author. Share Sally's journey to becoming a writer, enjoy her wonderfully engaging books and learn about the Black Death... Do you think you would have survived it? Age: 11-13 years Sessions: 11:30am & 2:30pm Signings: 12:45pm & 3:45pm Julia Jarman & Lynne Chapman www.juliajarman.com & www.lynnechapman.co.uk Enjoy Julia and Lynne's latest book 'Bears on the Stairs'. Another hilarious romp from the team behind the award-winning Class Two at the Zoo (this time with added claws...) Age: 3-7 years Sessions: 10:00am & 1:00pm Signings: 11:15am & 2:15pm Vivian French www.vivianfrench.com Let award winning author and professional story teller Vivian French take you on a magical adventure into a fabulous world of comic fantasy and good versus evil. Learn all about the Tales from the Five Kingdoms, how to build a story and create amazing characters of your own. If you want your children to have fun with reading, then join Vivian where she will bring the world of stories alive. From heart warming to fantastically funny, there's enough to inspire all young readers and leave them wanting more. Age: 8-11 years Sessions: 11:30am to 12:30pm Signings: 12:45pm to 1:15pm Age: 6-8 years Sessions: 2:30pm to 3:30pm Signings: 3:45pm to 4:15pm Philip Ardagh www.philipardagh.co.uk Don't miss Roald Dahl Funny Prize winner Philip Ardagh as he talks about his latest series, 'The Grunts'. Probably best known for his Eddie Dickens adventures and his Grubtown Tales, Philip Ardagh is ridiculously tall with an equally ridiculous beard! Age: 7+ years Sessions: 10:00am & 1:00pm Signings: 11:15am & 2:15pm Karen McCombie www.karenmccombie.com Karen presents her latest series 'You, Me and Thing'. Me is Ruby Morgan and You is her best friend Jackson Miller, but who is Thing? Karen McCombie would love to meet you and reveal all. Age: 7-9 years Sessions: 11:30am & 2:30pm Signings: 12:45pm & 3:45pm Alex T Smith www.alextsmith.blogspot.com Join Alex T Smith for lots of fun and find out all about being an author and illustrator. Let him help you draw the main character from his books step by step and develop your creativity in his fun and enthusiastic workshop. Age: 5-8 years Sessions: 10:00am & 1:00pm Signings: 11:15am & 2:15pm Paul Hess www.paulhessillustration.com Calling all artists! Join Paul our illustrator extraordinaire for his interactive workshop. Learn all about illustrating and create your very own storyboards with a humourous, quirky twist! Let your imagination run wild! Age: 7+ years Sessions: 11:30am & 2:30pm Signings: 12:45am & 3:45pm Northern Children's Book Festival is organised by the library services of Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside and Sunderland local authorities. Northern Children's Book Festival is a Registered Charity No. 1013065