Learners from Penrice Academy, Sandy Hill Primary School, Charlestown Primary School, St Mewan Primary School, Mount Charles Primary School and Pondhu Primary School gathered this afternoon to hear from the author of the best-selling young adult fiction Skandar series, A.F. Steadman.

The Year 5, 6 and 7 learners filled the hall, and demand was so high that the event was live-streamed to other primary schools who couldn't make the trip.

In-person and online alike, the children were enthralled by her talk about her journey as a writer, and her fantasy novel series about "blood-thirsty unicorns" as part of the lead-up to the next St Austell Festival of Children's Literature.

"I wanted to be an author from as soon as I knew it was a job," Steadman told us.

But why blood-thirsty unicorns? "I thought unicorns needed a bit of rehabilitation to make them a bit more fearsome and exciting," she answered. "Children really respond to the idea that they're not cute and fluffy but they're actually ferocious creatures."

Steadman's contribution today as a patron of the St Austell Festival of Children's Literature isn't the author's only connection with the region. "My mum lives here," she explains, and the newest novel in the Skandar series "begins in Cornwall, which the children find really exciting."

Steadman promises more authors than ever will be joining the Festival this year - with entry still fixed at just £1 - and she is proud that the event and visits like hers promote reading for pleasure.

The event was organised by CELT's Director of Community and Engagement, Simon Pollard, who founded the Festival in 2023 and is the event's director in addition to his role with CELT.

CELT, he explains, "has fully embraced the National Year of Reading, so it's a real privilege to be able to bring The Bookseller's author of the year here, not just in CELT schools but for all of our community's children," he says.

The Festival began when headteachers got together to organise an author visit because none could afford to do it on their own. Since then, the event has grown to gather national attention. The 2027 instalment will be the event's fifth, bringing several thousand people to the area each year.

"Choosing to read has a massive impact on a child's life and future," he adds. "Hopefully the children will go home today and talk to their families about meeting a fantastic author, and their parents will talk to them about reading, and maybe they'll want to read at home as well".

 

The St Austell Festival of Children's Literature is planned for the 18th and 19th of June 2027. Keep an eye on their website for details as they are released - and look forward to lots more reading-themed activities between now and then!