Children's Bookshow Digital Festival 2021

Digital event

Past event

Neal Layton's live digital performance

How did it go?

For the final day of The Children’s Bookshow Digital Festival we ventured into the wonderful world of picture books. Writer and illustrator Neal Layton (and Dora the dog) joined us from his Portsmouth studio to share his methods, media and musical talents. We were treated to a behind-the-scenes mosey through Neal’s inspiration and creation of Stanley’s Stick, Neal's picture book with writer John Hegley. From a blank page, Stanley magically appeared before our eyes, with a pen line here, a cut out there, a splash of colour - voila! There he was. A reading of a Bookshow favourite, The Tree transported us to the woods with background birdsong and Neal’s evocative illustrations, maybe a drey to be found too? As always we found time for the best children’s questions and closed with a quick blast of Stanley’s stick saxophone.

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:
Friday, 5th March 2021
Time:
11:00 am
Duration:
Approx. 1 hour
Age range:
Years 2, 3 and 4

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

Neal Layton

Neal was born and raised in Chichester, West Sussex and whilst growing up spent much of his time playing in the dirt, making homemade catapults and drawing pictures. Although gaining a place to study science at University, he went to Art College instead studying BA Graphic Design at Newcastle, and MA Illustration at Central Saint Martins. His latest picture book A Climate in Chaos and how you can help was published by Wren and Rook in 2020.

In Praise of The Tree

“Just 51 words elevate our thinking and leave us with a sense of hope.”

Where the Books Are...


Interested in attending one of our performances?

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