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Well over 2,000 energetic children poured into the Royal Albert Hall for the finale of StoryQuest. Creative and engaging workshops began immediately with the authors, poets and storytellers. Eccentric storyteller David Campbell, donned in favourite kilt, gave a magical performance that kept the children attentive for the full 50 minutes. Meanwhile a few doors away charismatic poet James Berry gave a stunning performance with his folk songs and heartfelt stories about growing up in Jamaica. At 12 o'clock all children made their way to the main stage and literary performers congregated on stage for the Knight's Tale - they each read out stories based on Quentin Blake's StoryQuest characters illustration. American author Meg Cabot had the audience in stitches as a school girl dressed up as a princess going to the prom without a partner...until she meets her “tuba guy...like that is SO cool”. Louis Sachar's quirky quacky story Odd Duck about a duck that follows him to the library one day was brilliant, funny, and original... the kids absolutely loved it. The Knight's Tales were wrapped up perfectly with the story ‘Who's Roaring Now’ by Michael Morpurgo. On cue he asked the children to shout as loud as they could “Who's Roaring Now!” And they did. An engaging end to a skilful, spellbinding StoryQuest.
The Childrens Laureate launches StoryQuest 2004 as children rush to take part
StoryQuest is designed to support children in schools reading in schools while exciting young people about the power and imagination that can be unleashed through stories and storytelling. According to recent research by the National Literacy Trust 65% of eleven year olds say they enjoy reading but this percentage drops to as little as 18% by the time they reach fourteen years old demonstrating that this is a key age to encourage an interest in reading. There’s been a rise in the buying and borrowing of certain children’s books such as the Harry Potter series and ‘the most borrowed author’ Jacqueline Wilson books. But in general book reading is on a downturn and according to the National Foundation of Educational Research, children enjoy reading less that they did five years ago (NFER December 2003). Commenting on the launch, Children’s Laureate and Patron of Arts & Kids Michael Morpurgo said, “Stories are fibs that you don’t get into trouble for. You can do whatever you want because it is your story. You see it in YOUR head.” Each of the free StoryQuest events will incorporate an exciting mixture of performances from authors, poets and storytellers, as well as interviews and the opportunity for children to ask their own questions. Teachers will have access to online resources and packs designed to give children the opportunity to take part in their own story telling events whether at school or at home. For more information please go to www.storyquest.org.uk. StoryQuest begins on 30th September in Belfast and culminates in an event at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 8th October. Other events include Cardiff, Glasgow, Norwich, Oxford and Scarborough. StoryQuest 2004 is organised by the Guardian Hay Festival on behalf of The Prince of Wales’ Arts & Kids Foundation. Through Arts & Kids a total of 270 top UK businesses and arts organisations have enabled over a quarter of a million children to get involved with the arts. By 2008 the aim is to get one million young people involved. Further press information: Eleanor Johnsey or Liz Sich Rebecca Salt |
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Tickets
for StoryQuest created by The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids
Foundation were sold out within hours of becoming available as
over 13,000 children rushed to be part of the biggest ever story
telling festival in the UK. The nationwide event will take place
from 30th September to 8th October this year and aims to inspire
more children to read at a time when reading is really on a downturn.
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