Junior Journalists: winners behind the scenes at Bath Children’s Literature Festival 📚

There were three VIPs among the hundreds of children and young people who attended the 2021 Bath Children’s Literature Festival – the winners of the festival’s Junior Journalists competition.

This hotly contested competition invites young writers to submit reviews of their favourite book to win the chance to wear a coveted Junior Journalists lanyard and report from the festival. The team of three Junior Journalists are given free tickets to events, to attend with their parents or carer, and the chance to interview some of the authors and illustrators.

There were three age categories, seven to nine, nine to 11 and 12 and over, all the entries being judged blind by a team of festival judges. The three winners were, Bethany Acres aged 9, Martha Tarlow aged 10 and Lucia Ambrosi aged 13.

The three Junior Journalists’ stories about the interviews they did from the festival will be posted on Bath Festivals’ website. Martha and Lucia both interviewed MG Leonard, while Bethany got the chance to interview Sophy Henn, Simon Farnaby and Steven Lenton. Bethany also brought Steven’s dog Long Eared Bob a present of some doggie treats.

The prizewinners also received free tickets to events for themselves and their immediate families plus a bundle of new books to take home. We look forward to seeing your entries next year in the Bath Children’s Literature Festival Junior Journalists competition 2022!