If you go down to the woods in August, you can be sure of a big surprise. With intrigue and trickery revealed as the theme for 2016, this year’s Just So Festival pledges to be an outdoor adventure like no other.
The arts festival for children and their families, set in the parklands, woods and lakeside of Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire, promises to take you on an expedition of mischief and mayhem, to lands full of magical midnight feasts, raucous pillow fights, tribal tournaments, curious creatures and breathtaking beauty.
Guardian children’s books is partnering with Just So on this year’s books and storytelling programme and we’re delighted to preview some of the bookish delights in store for young readers and their families.
Jo Cotterill: Electrigirl and Electrigirl and the Deadly Swarm
Join Jo on the Village Green, and find out more about Holly Sparkes, just your average 12-year-old girl - until she becomes extraordinary, after being hit by a bolt of lighting. Expect a unique comic book style adventure and action-packed prose, accompanied by breathtaking visuals. Make sure to visit Jo again at the Footlights for a literary boogie, accompanied by fellow authors John Dougherty and Paul Stickland.
Nadine Kaadan: The Jasmine Sneeze
Discover the beautifully illustrated and enormously entertaining story of Haroun the cat; he loves to spend his days sleeping in the sun, but his naps are always ruined by one thing - he can’t stand sweet-scented flowers! Written by the award-winning Syrian author and illustrator Nadine Kaadan, prepare to giggle along with the Jasmine Spirit in a story which sheds a welcome light onto the long and proud cultural heritage of Syria.
Tamsyn Murray: brand new book and Completely Cassidy
Followers of the hugely popular Completely Cassidy novels won’t want to miss this! Tamsyn will be on the Village Green talking about her exciting new book, as well as keeping everyone entertained with stories from some of her previous titles. Super fans should take a trip to the Spellbound Forest over the weekend, where Tamsyn will join Paul Stickland and Phil Earle in a series of interactive workshops, The New Curiosity Shop.
John Dougherty: Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face
For those of you seeking a laugh or two over the weekend, look no further than the Village Green to discover more about the side-splitting adventures of heroes Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face, brought to life by John and his guitar.
Phil Earle: Demolition Dad and Superhero Street
Phil Earle continues the laughs across the Village Green with his stories of Demolition Dad, a character who spends all week knocking down buildings, and all weekend knocking down wrestlers.
Ian Douglas: Storytelling at The Woodland Theatre
Step into the Spellbound Forest and get cosy around the open campfire. Ian Douglas, the storyteller to end all storytellers, will be joined by some curious friends and strange travellers through the woodsmoke - stick around all weekend to hear tales from far and wide. For more tantalising tales, it’s time to start asking your parents if you can stay up late enough to see Ian at the literary-inspired and fun filled Midnight Feast, held in the Village Green.
David Gibb: songwriter
Sing a tune or two with the award-winning songwriter, storyteller, and rumoured tallest man in Derbyshire. David is on a mission to incorporate great music into stories for families to love and enjoy, so prepare to be carried away with the music at his show, packed full of catchy, toe tapping numbers.
Geoff Bird: Two Parts Mischief
Stan is two parts mischief and one part firework, until one day a cold wind comes along and everything changes. Can Stan find his way back into the sunshine? Join author Geoff Bird as he reads from this beautiful children’s book, with a live score by Folie a Deux Femmes.
As well as bookish fun, the festival also features music, theatre and comedy in the Spellbound Forest. Also, for the first time adventurers can take a voyage in wooden rowing boats onto Rode Pool - bring a blanket and, as night falls, snuggle up to watch family classics such as Labyrinth, The Wizard of Oz and, of course, Swallows and Amazons at the beautiful outdoor cinema. You can also enjoy circus thrills and spills and, for the tiniest visitors, Peekaboo offers the best arts (and right royal facilities) for 0-2s.
The Village Green is the nerve centre for the famed Tribal Tournament, headed up immersive theatre specialists LAS Theatre. The Fox, Frog, Owl, Fish, Stag and Lion tribes will compete in ridiculous games and all manner of unexpected shenanigans. Visitors are invited to find their tribe on festival Sunday and take part in the Tribal Parade, a Just So highlight.
Just So runs from 19-21 August and tickets are available from the Just So Festival website at £125 for an adult’s weekend ticket, £50 for a child’s weekend ticket, £50 for an adult’s day ticket and £20 for a child’s day ticket.
