In 2016, Katherine Rundell, prize-winning author of five novels for children – found her understanding of the world she lived in upturned: by Brexit, Trump, a sweep across Europe towards nationalism and insularity, terrorist attacks. Literary fiction did not help her understanding, so instead she turned to old narratives, told for the benefit of children and adults and anyone who would listen.
This Independent Bookshop Week, join Katherine Rundell and Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Children’s Book Editor, for an inspiring conversation about how children’s books ignite, and can re-ignite, the imagination; how children’s fiction, with its unabashed emotion and playfulness, can awaken old hungers and create new perspectives on the world. Capturing this, Katherine has written a delightful persuasive essay ‘Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise’. All those attending will receive a copy.
Katherine Rundell is the bestselling author of five children’s novels, for which she has won the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize amongst many others. She spent her childhood in Africa and Europe before taking her degree at the University of Oxford and becoming a Fellow of All Souls College. As well as writing, she studies Renaissance literature; and is learning, as a direct result of writing her new stunning adventure story The Good Thieves (June ‘19), to fly on the flying trapeze.
Tickets: £6 (Includes a signed copy of Why You Should Read Children's Books). Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).