As part of Deptford Literature Festival 2023, we have a special day of writing, reading and drawing activities taking place for younger festival goers, some of which are curated by our friends at Round Table Books.
Deptford Literature Festival takes place on Saturday 18 March 2023, and most of our families events will take place in the children’s library at Deptford Lounge. Round Table Books will be selling books by children and YA authors featured at the Festival and more in Deptford Lounge Library throughout the day. All Children’s and Family events are BSL interpreted. Free healthy snacks will be available for children taking part in the workshops.
All family events are free, with booking in advance essential. All family events require a parent, carer or guardian to stay with the children at all times, except Milk Honey Bees.
You can see the full Deptford Literature Festival programme here.
Deptford Literature Festival Children’s and Family Events lineup:
I am Nefertiti! Sing-a-Long with Annemarie Anang – in partnership with Round Table Books
Deptford Lounge Children’s Library
Saturday 18 March 2023 10am – 10.45am
Age recommendation: 3 – 7 years
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend – booking essential
Join Annemarie Anang for an empowering story-time with her debut children’s book I Am Nefertiti! Sing-a-long with her ukulele and learn about some of the wonderful global instruments in the story. The session is for 3-7 year olds.
Book here:
FESTIVAL IN THE PARK Creating with Deptford Nature hosted by Laura & LiLi
Brookmill Park, Deptford
Saturday 18 March 2023 10am – 4.30pm
Open to all (children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult.)
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend – booking essential
Join Laura Barker and LiLi K. Bright for a day of creativity and writing workshops inspired by and exploring nature, climate and science in Brookmill Park.
The workshops will be taking place outdoors, so please dress for the weather!
Book here:
Creative Writing & Mindfulness for families with Laurie Bolger
Deptford Lounge Children’s Library
Saturday 18 March 2023 11 – 1pm
Children (aged 4 to 14) and families welcome
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend
Are you a young aspiring writer or a creative family based in Lewisham? Join Lewisham poet Laurie Bolger for some mindful scribbling in celebration of kindness to ourselves. Laurie will guide you through playful creative exercises to boost your wellbeing and celebrate the things around us. You are welcome to join this relaxed session to write, create, express yourself and share your thoughts on writing and creativity.
Drop in for any part of the session or stay for the whole duration. Together you’ll do some fun creative activities to get your words flowing, express what’s important to you and imagine a more creative future for Lewisham – and you.
Book here:
Sunflower Sisters reading and workshop with Monika Singh Gangotra – in partnership with Round Table Books
Deptford Lounge Children’s Library
Saturday 18 March 2023 11.30am – 12.15pm
Age recommendation: 5 – 8 years
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend – booking essential
Join Dr Monika Singh Gangotra for a reading and inspirational workshop. Inspired by joy and colourful celebrations, her book Sunflower Sisters is a journey of self-love and sisterhood, empowering women and girls everywhere. During this interactive session, children will have the chance to get creative and celebrate their identities and cultures.
Book here:
Joyful, Joyful story-making workshop with Dapo Adeola and Funmbi Omotayo – in partnership with Round Table Books
Deptford Lounge Children’s Library
Saturday 18 March 2023 1 – 1.45pm
Age recommendation: 7 – 14 years
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend – booking essential
After an introduction to the book Joyful, Joyful, a gorgeous collection of stories and poems celebrating joy, showcasing 40 talented Black writers and artists from across the world, join illustrator, curator and collaborator Dapo Adeola and author Funmbi Omotayo for a story-making workshop. In this interactive session, children can celebrate the joy in their lives and identities and work together to create their very own story with support from Dapo and Funmbi.
Book here:
Milk Honey Bees with Ebinehita Iyere – in partnership with Round Table Books
Deptford Lounge Children’s Library
Saturday 18 March 2023 4 – 4.45pm
For young Black women aged 14 and above
BSL Interpreted
Free to attend – booking essential
Join Ebinehita Iyere alongside authors of Girlhood Unfiltered for an intimate creative workshop! Ebinehita is the founder of Milk Honey Bees – a creative and expressive safe space for young Black women and girls to put H.E.R (Healing, Empowerment and Resilience) first. It’s more than just an organisation: it’s a sisterhood, a family. Their essay collection Girlhood Unfiltered reflects on the multifaceted experience of Black girlhood. Ebinehita will be asking what H.E.R. means in an interactive talking workshop. Ask questions, share and hear stories, and be a part of this empowering collective.
Book here:
About Round Table Books
Round Table Books is the only children’s bookshop in Brixton. It officially opened its doors in June 2018 after successfully running two pop up shops and crowdfunding £50,000 to do so. It stocks inclusive titles from underrepresented authors and illustrators for the ages of 0-18 and regularly holds events both in the store and wider community.
Deptford Literature Festival takes place on Saturday 18 March 2023 and celebrates the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. It is run by Spread the Word in collaboration with independent producer Tom MacAndrew. You can read more about the festival and see the full programme at: spreadtheword.org.uk/deptford-literature-festival
Published Monday 6 February 2023