Let your Imagination Run Wild at the Imagine Festival

The Imagine Children’s Literature Festival returns to the Southbank Centre for its 10th year and this year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. The festival features an unbeatable mix of readings and storytelling by some of the country’s best loved children’s authors and poets with a full programme of music, dance, comedy, film and performance suitable for the whole family. Imagine runs throughout the February Half Term and beyond providing exciting workshops and activities for children aged five to eleven, with some activities also suitable for younger children.

Special book and poetry readings will delight audiences young and old with Charlie Higson’s tales (19 February), an interactive show with Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne (23 February), Jeremy Strong reading extracts from his book Cartoon Kid (22 February) and Polly Dunbar bringing to life Penguin with drawings and puppets (22 February).

The Centre will also host live shows, music and comedy suitable for the whole family with laugh out loud antics from James Campbell (19 – 21 Feb) and memorable musical moments from Dan Zanes’ ‘Rock Gigs for Kids’ (24 – 27 Feb), a special performance by the 12 Cellos (20 Feb) and an all singing all dancing workshop by Elizabeth Watts (21 – 22 Feb)

Throughout the Festival there will be free activities and exhibitions including My Life Illuminated and Shoebox Living.   See the Royal Festival Hall transformed into a fictional world with the Comic Book Gang taking you behind the drawings to find the real 3D people.

Free shows and workshops will give you the opportunity to see and try new things that you may not normally do. Create a safari park of undiscovered animal species with Aisle 16 (21 February), listen to Jan Blake’s traditional feline stories (22 February) or take part in Trudy Kerr’s Jazz for Juniors (25 February). Foyles bookshop will also be hosting storytelling sessions everyday from 1pm.

The Imagine Festival kicks off with the World Exclusive preview screening of The Flying Machine 3D on 12 and 13 February but you will be amazed at the line up of events on offer. The Festival runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 February.   With so many free things to do, the whole family can find something new to try. For more information or to book call 0844 847 9910 or visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk.