The Jan Urban-Smith Debate – Sat 12th October 2-3pm

Do We Still Believe Books Matter to our Children?

Melvin Burgess, Anne Fine, Jamila Gavin and Graham Tyrer

Do we still believe that books matter to our children? If so, why are libraries closing and literature reduced to extracts in school, as if solely for the purpose of jumping through hoops? Is the chance to read widely being squeezed between the pressure of regimented schooling and an increasingly pervasive digital ‘tablet culture’? And what can parents do? Join bestselling children’s writers Melvin Burgess, Anne Fine and Jamila Gavin and school literacy guru Graham Tyrer to debate these challenging questions and find out the books that shaped them as they grew up.

What are the books that shaped your childhood? Join the debate by tweeting your favourite childhood book that shaped you as you grew up @cheltfestivals  #cheltlitfest

This event is sponsored by the Summerfield Charitable Trust in memory of Jan Urban-Smith, who, in her role as a Trustee, helped to make Gloucestershire a better place.

For more details about the Festival and to book tickets visit the Cheltenham Festivals website

The Summerfield Lecture: Noreena Hertz
EYES WIDE OPEN: HOW TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS IN A CONFUSING WORLD.
Thursday 10th October 6.30-7.30pm

In a fast-moving world we’re often overloaded with conflicting opinions and advice. In this absorbing talk Noreena Hertz, author of Eyes Wide Open, and described by The Observer as ‘one of the world’s leading thinkers’, offers a practical method for making better, smarter decisions.

For more details about the Festival and to book tickets visit the Cheltenham Festivals website.