The LAST FILM in a weekly series of the Bookfest Big Book Award Bites to keep everyone up to speed and buzzing about the Big Book Award 2022 project.

Ali can hardly contain her excitement as the Voting Day of 25th March 2022 gets near.

There’s lots to celebrate and the Awards Ceremony on 28th April 2022 at Theatre Severn to plan for. Everyone is now waiting for the final result as to WHO. WILL. WIN.

Pentabus Theatre have been into schools to workshop some great plans and ideas for the Creative Response Competition; shortlist author Jamie Russell (SkyWake Invasion) has been spotted out and about in Waterstones Shrewsbury; lots more news and pictures from busy schools; the competition and voting deadline of 25th March are getting nearer and a final call to any schools that would like to do Picture Book Award 2022 – last chance to sign up!

Welcome back after your half term break!  Ali shows lots more work from schools doing Big Book Award – thank you for sending us your news.

Two Important Dates: 

The voting and competition deadlines are fast approaching which is FRIDAY 25th MARCH.  All the information is in the Teacher Pack on how to send all this in to Bookfest in time and to where.

The Awards Ceremony at Theatre Severn is on THURSDAY 28th APRIL from 10am until midday.  If your school is coming to Theatre Severn (if you’re not sure – take a look at the list here) please make sure you arrange and book your transport NOW.  You do not need to contact Theatre Severn to book your seat in the theatre.

Don’t forget….all the information you need is in the Teacher Pack but if you’re unsure of anything please contact your Bookfest Co-ordinator or contact us here.

So this week, Ali introduces the last two workshop films from Pentabus Theatre – How to Write a “Whistle Stop Narrative” for a Book and How to Create a Film Trailer with Izzy Rabey – click here to go through to the Pentabus page to access them.

And…let’s start thinking about ‘Extreme Reading’ photos!  If you want to see what previous Bookfest Book Award schools got up to – click here to watch this short montage of mischief from Big Book Award 2020!

Here Ali shares the exciting news that the Pentabus workshops have landed and are ready to watch!  Just click here to learn from the professional theatre makers at Pentabus.  AND…you can even arrange to have Pentabus visit you in school to run a drama workshop for your class(es).

More schools have been sending in their class displays and activities all to do with the shortlisted books.

Remember to look through your Teacher Pack to find lots of class activities that we’ve sourced for you on each of the shortlisted books.

Examples of using the Bookfest materials available HERE to make Class Displays in your classroom.

Explore the shortlisted authors’ websites to make your own author information webpage by downloading the template here

Don’t miss the last opportunity to book onto the Art CPD session on Weds 9 February – essential and brilliant classroom tips will be shared!

Pentabus Theatre Workshops – either online or invite Pentabus into your classroom for a face to face drama workshop to get your pupils’ entries to the Creative Response Competition noticed!

Class displays – see some lovely classroom displays that have already gone up in schools.

Comments and reviews on the six shortlisted books are beginning to roll in.  Take a look, share them with your class and encourage them to share their own thoughts and opinions!

• Art CPD make sure you book onto one of the brilliant, fun and helpful workshops (1st Feb/9th Feb) to help you inspire your pupils to create great art competition entries!

Pentabus Theatre Workshops – Soon to come – films created by Pentabus Theatre to help give you and your pupils some ideas on how to approach the Creative Response Competition and how you can book these theatre professionals to come into your classrooms for face to face workshops.