For Ages 8 to Adult.
Saturday 23rd November, 12pm-1:00pm, The French Institute. Free for RSL Members and Fellows. Not a Member? Join now! Public tickets can be purchased from The French Institute here for £7.
The stellar jury of the first-ever edition of the Entente Littéraire Prize will present this year’s shortlist, debate the challenges of judging a literary prize, and share their hopes for upcoming cross-Channel literature partnerships. Led by Chair Joanne Harris, former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho will converse with Patrice Lawrence, Timothée de Fombelle and Marie-Aude Murail. A fitting way to conclude a year of celebrating 120 years of French British partnership and the Entente Cordiale.
Joanne Harris OBE, FRSL is a Franco-English writer. After studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge, she taught and published three novels, including Chocolat (1999), which was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film. Harris has since authored 19 more novels, along with novellas, short stories, and much more. She has judged numerous literary prizes and was even elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2022. She is also a strong advocate for authors’ rights in the UK.
Joseph Coelho OBE, FRSL and Children’s Laureate for 2022-2024, is a performance poet, children’s author and playwright. Joe has written plays for the Polka Theatre, Soho Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre and creates dynamic poetry theatre pieces for young people that he tours nationally. He also performs around the country with the UK’s top performance poetry organisation, Apples and Snakes. Joseph has also been a guest poet on Cbeebies’ Rhyme Rocket.
Patrice Lawrence MBE FRSL is a British author and journalist from Brighton, known for her award-winning young adult novels like Orangeboy and Indigo Donut. Her writing explores themes of identity, belonging, and hope, focusing on characters of mixed race and BAME backgrounds facing real-life challenges. Lawrence is committed to sharing untold stories and inspiring young writers through her blog, The Lawrence Line.
Born in 1973 in Paris, Timothée de Fombelle spent his childhood between Morocco and Ivory Coast. In 2006, he published his first children’s novel: Tobie Lolness. Translated into thirty languages, the story of this one and a half millimeter tall hero garnered resounding success among both the public and critics. Since then, his works have captivated readers of all ages, taking them on adventures filled with imagination, emotion, and poetry, and highlighting the omnipotence of childhood.
Marie-Aude Murail is a celebrated French writer known for her children’s and YA novels. Her works cover diverse topics including blended families, self-identity, or mental health, adapted to all ages. Her most acclaimed book, Oh, Boy!, has even been adapted for television by Thierry Binisti. Her books have received numerous awards in France and internationally, with translations in about fifteen languages. In 2004, she was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur for her contributions to literature.
Presented in partnership with the South Ken Kids Festival at the Institut français du Royaume-Uni.
For the full programme of the South Ken Kids Festival click here.