REVEALED: The Gruffalo Co-Creator Among Artists Coming To Isle Of Wight Story Festival

• News Home
• More from Features

Wednesday, 13 October 2021 14:38

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on X
• Share on Whatsapp

One of the creators of the most iconic children's story characters of all time will be at next year's Isle of Wight Story Festival.

Axel Scheffler, co-creator of The Gruffalo, will be performing and drawing at next year’s Festival. He will be talking about how he developed the look of some of his most famous characters.

He is just one of an exciting line-up that will be appearing on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February at the IW Story Festival’s new home for 2022, Quay Arts in Newport.

Other confirmed for the event include: Laura Ellen Anderson (Amelia Fang), Sarah MacIntyre (Grumpycorn), Kieran Larwood (Podkin) and Phillip Reeve (Mortal Engines), as well as the theatre company Rhubarb.

Although the IW Story Festival ran a very successful online event in 2021 – attracting 2,853 views, not just from the Isle of Wight, but from the rest of the UK, and places as far-flung as the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA – organisers are delighted to be planning a live event for next year.

Elspeth Giddens said:

“There is something very special about children having the chance to meet authors and illustrators in the flesh. It makes being a writer or an illustrator something they can aspire to.

“And we are delighted that the 2020 festival will be at Quay Arts. They have already generously agreed to run some additional illustration workshops as part of the event, and will be collaborating with us in a number of ways to make the 2022 event extra special.”

Tickets for the event will go on sale from Quay Arts in December.

More from Features

• Five Isle of Wight Dancers to Represent England in Global Dance Open Finals

  Five young dancers from the Isle of Wight have been chosen to represent England in a prestigious dance competition in The Netherlands this summer.

• NEW COMPETITION: Win A Luxury Hamper For National Pet Day

  To celebrate National Pet Day Today (April 11), we're offering you the chance to win a luxury hamper of treats for your pet - just have a go at our Facebook competition!

• Schools Walk The Wight is Back

  After a record-breaking year, Walk the Wight is back for 2024 on Sunday 12 May 2024.

• How a Popular Ryde Shop Helps Buyers Reduce, Re-use and Recycle

  As people become more and more conscious about the products they buy –and how it might affect the environment, we take a look at a popular Ryde shop, which makes it easy for buyers to reduce, reuse and recycle!

• Summer Dates Announced For Ryde's Big Beach Weekender

  Following a year out due to the closure of Robin Hill last year, it has been confirmed that The Woodland Sessions will relaunch this summer as The Big Beach Weekender.

• Isle Of Wight Red Squirrel Hotspots To Look Out For This Easter

  Easter is a particularly good time to look for red squirrels on the Isle of Wight as natural food sources are becoming more abundant and they are anxious to build up their strength and fat reserves after winter.

• Purple Twist For Newport's Annual Aspire Easter Duck Race

  This year's Aspire duck race will take place on Saturday March 30 at Shide Trees, Newport, with a 1pm start time.

• NEW COMPETITION: Win A £50 M&S Voucher

  It's fair to say everyone deserves a treat right now, so we've got a £50 M&S voucher for someone to enjoy - just give us a like or follow on our Facebook page...

• Understanding Mental Health

  Adele Trathan explores understanding and recognising mental health issues and ways to access help.

• Totland Reflections: The Creation of a Seaside Resort

  The Freshwater & Totland Archive Group is a self-funded voluntary group set up in 2010. Its aim is to establish an easily accessible archive to encourage public interest in our local history and provide a valuable community resource.

• Freshwater Bookshop Shortlisted For Prestigious National Award

  An Isle of Wight bookshop has made the shortlist to win a prestigious national award.

• Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival Raises Over £6,000 To Help Island Charities in 2023

  The Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival organisers have announced that the 2023 event raised a total of more than £6,000, with donations to be made to selected charitable causes, across the Island.

• MBE Honour For Mountbatten Chief Nigel

  A prominent figure in the Isle of Wight charity sector has celebrated receiving an accolade for his contributions to the local community.

• The Little Sweep Remembered On Valentine’s Day

  A poignant gathering was held in Newport's Church Litten on Valentine’s Day to remember ‘The Little Sweep’ Valentine Gray.

• Get Fit by Joining a Regular Social Running Group

  Newport’s dedicated running shop, Love Running, started a social running group a decade ago, initially aimed at less confident runners who wanted to take on a regular run with other like-minded people in a relaxed and friendly environment.

• Entries For 2024 Round The Island Race Now Open

  The Island Sailing Club (ISC) has announced entries are now open for the 2024 edition of Britain’s Favourite Yacht Race, the Round the Island Race, which is being held on Saturday June 15.

• History: The Mystery of The Maybricks

  As part of the Walking Festival, Aspire volunteer, Julie Croydon, leads the ‘Lost Crypt’ history walk around Ryde dressed as Florence Chandler Maybrick.

• Feed An Isle Of Wight Family This Christmas

  ‘Feed a Family’ – an initiative by Aspire Ryde, with support from Isle of Wight Radio – will relaunch next week.

• Lighting Up Long Lane for Nearly Quarter of a Century

  Long Lane’s iconic Christmas lights display, organised by Islanders Terry and Sue Ramplin, will switch on this month — accompanied by a marching band and (with your help) Father Christmas.

• Isle of Wight Toy Appeal Returns for 2023

  The Isle of Wight Radio Christmas Toy Appeal is back for 2023, with the aim of spreading festive cheer to thousands of less-fortunate children across the Island.