Children's Bookshow Digital Festival 2021

Digital event

Past event

Catherine Johnson in conversation, live with Nicolette Jones

How did it go?

The second day of The Children’s Bookshow digital Festival fell on World Book Day 2021 so it was fitting to switch genres for the day and dip into the world of historical fiction. We were thrilled to be joined by IBBY UK 2020 Honour nominee, Catherine Johnson who talked to us about the incredible real life story of Matthew Henson, one of the first men to reach the North Pole - with some eye-wateringly gruesome detail included. In conversation with ace interviewer Nicolette Jones, the split screen format allowed us to probe the inspirations, research methods, and writing journey that brought Catherine to write the amazing, Race to the Frozen North, The Story of Matthew Henson. We saw photos from the book of Matthew Henson and had time too to take wonderful questions from schools around the UK.

Did you go to this performance or attend one of the related workshops? Send us your photos and feedback to be featured on this page

Date:
Thursday, 4th March 2021
Time:
11:00 am
Duration:
Approx. 1 hour
Age range:
Years 5 and 6

How do digital performances work?

We will broadcast direct into your classroom, using the online platform Crowdcast. You can watch the digital event on the whiteboard in your classroom. There is lots more guidance at the bottom of this page - click the button below!

↓ More details

Want to help more children attend events like this in the future?

Support the Children's Bookshow

Catherine Johnson

Catherine Johnson is a screen-writer and best-selling author, born in London in 1962. Her dad was from Jamaica, and her mum was Welsh. She has written many award-winning books for young readers, and is keen to tell the untold stories of characters who have been forgotten.

Praise for Race to the Frozen North

Catherine Johnson is the master of historical fiction for children; her prose is warm and wise and utterly gripping

Author, Katherine Rundell


Nicolette Jones

Nicolette Jones, is a writer, journalist, literary critic and broadcaster, and has been the children’s books reviewer of the Sunday Times for more than two decades. A Royal Literary Fund Fellow, and a nominee for the 2012 Eleanor Farjeon Award for outstanding service to the world of children’s books, she is an experienced book prize judge and professional chair of literary events. She has worked with us at The Children's Bookshow for many years, and interviewees have included Judith Kerr, John Burningham, Hilary McKay, Maria Parr and Stefan Casta.

Praise for Nicolette

Nicolette doesn’t just bring out the best in her speakers; she somehow also manages to bring out the best in the audience as well, and that enriches the event for everyone.

Anne Fine, author


Interested in attending one of our performances?

Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to find out about our events next year: