What's On.We are excited to bring you a wide range of activities from
Saturday 2 March to Sunday 17 March 2019 |
Big Read Inspiration TheatreBringing bestselling authors, sporting heroes, prominent politicians, influential journalists and stars of the screen to share their stories and lives with the public.
Check out the schedule below to see who we have speaking when... and don't forget to book your place as the number of seats are limited! Located in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre in the old Argos unit. |
Big Read StopA place to relax, unwind and curl up with a book, magazine or comic, a place to let your imagination run wild!
In this space you can enjoy the Big Read bookshop and get your hands on the latest best seller, as well as bring your old books and swap them in our book swap area for a new read! Located in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre next door to Robert Dyas, every weekend from 2nd - 17th March |
Big Read ArenaOpen the lid on one of our special chairs and pull out a book. Read to yourself, to your friends, or with one of our volunteer readers.
Located in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre in the square (main atrium). Running on 2nd & 3rd March, and again 16th & 17th March only from 11am - 3pm |
Events Calendar
Saturday 2nd March
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On the High Street
Once Upon a Bus:
Experience the magic of storytelling on the magical Once Upon a Bus, where stories come to life. Sessions last around 30 minutes and are completely free. Sessions are limited to 35 people (20 for the SEN sessions) The Grufallo / Three Little Pigs (ages 2+)
Alice down the rabbit hole (ages 6+)
Mobile Library
Grab a book from the mobile library and meet the library team between 10.00-16.00. Meet Horrid Henry: We are thrilled that Horrid Henry can join us to inspire our young people to pick up a story and get reading. You can meet Horrid Henry at the following times:
Book Start Bear will also be in the Town Centre to greet children young and old, and if you're lucky he might even have a few giveaways to hand out! Meet him between 11.00-12.00 and again at 14.00-14.45.
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In the Inspiration Theatre
Storytelling and Creative Workshop with Lisa Buddin
10.00 Lisa will share the inspirations behind the characters in her new book, Five Cat Magic. Children will be invited to bring their own characters to life in this interactive workshop for children aged 8-12. Illustrating and creative storytelling with Stephanie Jayne
11.00 & 13.00 Learn more about the world of illustration, the techniques used to make a story come to life and leap off the page. Reading with Wendy Woo
12.00 & 14.00 Award winning author is delighted to be able to tell her stories at this event and is sure children will love her books as much as she does! For children aged 4-7 Developing a story with Tim Walker
15.00 Berkshire children’s author, Tim Walker, will give a talk to schoolchildren and parents about how he and his daughter came up with the Charly Holmes character and wrote about her adventures in two books. Signed copies of his books will be available after the talk – cash sales only. Health & Wellbeing with Anna Bennett
19.00 Navigate your emotions like a ninja! As an ex-Olympic athlete (now practicing Acupuncturist) she will draw on her experiences from the sporting arena and in dealing with the pressure of elite performance. Having had access to top-quality sports psychologists, she will reveal the single piece of advice, that changed her perception of pressured situations. She will finish her discussion with 5 Health tips, revealing the smallest changes with the biggest results. |
At Three Discovery Centre
Discover Free Digital Books
10.30-11.30 & 14:00-15:00 This is a workshop aimed at adults and teenages to demonstrate the amazing world of free online books for your Kindles, iPhones / iPads, Amazon Fire and all other mobile devices. To book a session click on the button below and then search for courses named "Maidenhead's Big Read". 
At The Little Bookshop CookhamAnna Bennett Book Signing
11.00 Anna will be at The Little Bookshop Cookham from 11am to sign copies of her latest book, Health Toolkit. The book contains a 7-step process, plus Bonus material. The secrets of Chinese medicine combined with the latest health findings, will be revealed. 
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Sunday 3rd March
In the Inspiration Theatre
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Reading with Wendy Woo
10.00 & 15.00 Award winning author is delighted to be able to tell her stories at this event and is sure children will love her books as much as she does! For children aged 4-7 |
Reading with Jenny Henwood
11.00 & 13.00 Welcome to the world of The Rainbow Riding School. Join Jenny for lots of fun in an interactive story telling session. Meet the toys from the books, hear the audios and learn Ketchup The Cockerel’s dance! There will be free balloons and bookmarks for all children. For children aged 4-7 |
Illustration with Fiona Cradduck
12.00 & 14.00 Come and have fun drawing! The children will draw book characters and they will be guided in how to illustrate a short poem or story in a concertina book. Fiona will have her own signed books available for purchase at a special price. For children aged 5-10 years |
In the Big Read STOP
Magic Carpet Storytelling with Ruth
11.00 & 12.00
Come and join storyteller Ruth as she tells a patchwork of enchanted tales Interactive, fun storytelling for children aged 3-7
11.00 & 12.00
Come and join storyteller Ruth as she tells a patchwork of enchanted tales Interactive, fun storytelling for children aged 3-7
In Conversation with Dame Katherine Grainger
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Friday 8th March, 19.30 - 21.00
Desborough Theatre Britain’s most decorated female Olympic athlete and a rower, the first British woman to win medals at five successive games. With Olympic silver at Rio 2016, gold at London 2012 to add to her silver medals from Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, and Beijing in 2008, as well as six-time world championships titles in her collection. She is a Fellow of King’s College and a Regent of Edinburgh University and has received honorary doctorates from nine universities. In March 2015, Katherine was inaugurated as Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, a role she will hold for a seven-year tenure. In April 2017, she was appointed Chair of UK Sport for a term of four years in April 2017 with the approval of the Prime Minister. |
Dame Katherine has published two books, namely “Dreams Do Come True: The Autobiography” and “Katherine Grainger: My Autobiography”. James Preston, Editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser, will be in conversation with Dame Katherine about her life challenges and achievements.
Doors open at 19.00 with refreshments on sale
Booking essential
Doors open at 19.00 with refreshments on sale
Booking essential
Saturday 9th March
In the Nicholson Shopping Centre
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In the Inspiration Theatre
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Flash Mob
The amazing senior crew from Dance Inspired will make a surprise appearance at some point on Saturday to wow the crowds with their amazing dance skills...keep an eye out for them! In the Big Read STOP
Magic Carpet Storytelling with Ruth 12.00 & 14.00 Come and join storyteller Ruth as she tells a patchwork of enchanted tales Interactive, fun storytelling for children aged 3-7 
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Reading and Dancing with Jenny Henwood
11.00 & 13.00 Join children’s author Jenny as she tells the tales of The Rainbow Riding School, a charming book that follows the lives and adventures of a diverse group of ponies and all their friends. For children aged 4-7 Space Adventures with Sue Palmer
12.00 & 14.00 Author of The May’s Moon trilogy, the story of a 13 year old's dream of becoming the first child astronaut. Sue will be running creative and fun space-themed workshops for children aged 8-12. |
Sunday 10th March
In the Inspiration Theatre
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Illustrating and creative storytelling with Stephanie Jayne
11.00 Learn more about the world of illustration, the techniques used to make a story come to life and leap off the page. Suitable for children 4 - 7 years |
Space Adventures with Sue Palmer
12.00 & 14.00 Author of The May’s Moon trilogy, the story of a 13 year old's dream of becoming the first child astronaut. Sue will be running creative and fun workshops for children aged 8-12. |
Illustration with Fiona Cradduck
13.00 Come and have fun drawing! The children will draw book characters and they will be guided in how to illustrate a short poem or story in a concertina book. For children aged 5-10 years |
Storytelling and Creative Workshop with Lisa Buddin
15.00 Lisa will share the inspirations behind the characters in her new book, Five Cat Magic. Children will be invited to bring their own characters to life in this interactive workshop for children aged 8-12. |
In the Big Read Stop
Fantastic Tales
11.00 - 15.00
Come and find out how local authors were inspired by the local area to create great stories such as Wind in the Willows and Doctor DoLittle.
11.00 - 15.00
Come and find out how local authors were inspired by the local area to create great stories such as Wind in the Willows and Doctor DoLittle.
Monday 11th March
Ready to Read Workshop with Pauline Harper
09.45 - 11.30, Maidenhead Library
The aim of this workshop, led by Pauline Harper an experienced trainer from the education sector, is to give parents the confidence and basic skills to help them engage with and support their children’s reading at home and so enable them to achieve success in early years and later education.
The workshop is interactive and uses a range of activities to help parents understand how they can help their children to succeed and enjoy learning. Topics include:
09.45 - 11.30, Maidenhead Library
The aim of this workshop, led by Pauline Harper an experienced trainer from the education sector, is to give parents the confidence and basic skills to help them engage with and support their children’s reading at home and so enable them to achieve success in early years and later education.
The workshop is interactive and uses a range of activities to help parents understand how they can help their children to succeed and enjoy learning. Topics include:
- Importance of speaking, listening and interacting with your child
- Why some children find reading difficult
- The importance of pre-reading experiences
- Strategies for helping children with their reading
- Supporting children’s reading – role play exercises
- The importance of praise
- Exploring picture books
- Reading comprehension and asking the right questions
- The importance of making reading fun
- The Importance of rhyming.
Wednesday 13th March
Come along to this fun session, where you will be able to encourage your child to interact with poems and a story. When the joy of reading is experienced at a young age, motivation to read becomes much stronger. The story used in the session, 'The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat', will be available for purchase at the end, and the author will sign each copy. Suitable for pre-schoolers and KS1 Children with their parents.
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The Legend of King Arthur with Tim Walker
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Friday 15th March
Ready to Read Workshop with Pauline Harper
10.00 - 12.00, Maidenhead Library
The aim of this workshop, led by Pauline Harper an experienced trainer from the education sector, is to give parents the confidence and basic skills to help them engage with and support their children’s reading at home and so enable them to achieve success in early years and later education.
The workshop is interactive and uses a range of activities to help parents understand how they can help their children to succeed and enjoy learning. Topics include:
10.00 - 12.00, Maidenhead Library
The aim of this workshop, led by Pauline Harper an experienced trainer from the education sector, is to give parents the confidence and basic skills to help them engage with and support their children’s reading at home and so enable them to achieve success in early years and later education.
The workshop is interactive and uses a range of activities to help parents understand how they can help their children to succeed and enjoy learning. Topics include:
- Importance of speaking, listening and interacting with your child
- Why some children find reading difficult
- The importance of pre-reading experiences
- Strategies for helping children with their reading
- Supporting children’s reading – role play exercises
- The importance of praise
- Exploring picture books
- Reading comprehension and asking the right questions
- The importance of making reading fun
- The Importance of rhyming.
Creating a Digital Newsreel
Thursday 14th March, 15.30 - 17.00
Three Discovery Centre, Maidenhead High Street
This is a workshop aimed at adults and children aged 8 and above where you will learn to create a Newsround programme to include the top headlines, breaking news and the weather!
To book a session click on the button below and then search for courses named "Maidenhead's Big Read".
Three Discovery Centre, Maidenhead High Street
This is a workshop aimed at adults and children aged 8 and above where you will learn to create a Newsround programme to include the top headlines, breaking news and the weather!
To book a session click on the button below and then search for courses named "Maidenhead's Big Read".
Saturday 16th March
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On the High Street
Once Upon a Bus:
Experience the magic of storytelling on the magical Once Upon a Bus, where stories come to life. Sessions last around 30 minutes and are completely free. Sessions are limited to 35 people (20 for the SEN sessions) Neverland (ages 2+)
The Space Bus (ages 5+)
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In the Inspiration Theatre
Illustrating and creative storytelling with Stephanie Jayne
12.00 & 14.00 Learn more about the world of illustration, the techniques used to make a story come to life and leap off the page. Suitable for children 4 - 7 years Getting Physical with Words with Coral Rumble
1pm Come along to this fun session, where you will be able to encourage your child to interact with poems and a story. When the joy of reading is experienced at a young age, motivation to read becomes much stronger. The story used in the session, 'The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat', will be available for purchase at the end, and the author will sign each copy. For children aged 4-7 years. Storytelling and Creative Workshop with Lisa Buddin
15.00 Lisa will share the inspirations behind the characters in her new book, Five Cat Magic. Children will be invited to bring their own characters to life in this interactive workshop for children aged 8-12. |
In the Big Read Stop
Living Paintings
11.00 - 15.00
Learning to read is a precious gift. Books help children to develop their speech, aid concentration and open up a magical world of characters and imagination, creating a lifelong love of stories. But imagine a world where the child cannot see words or pictures.
Every 15 minutes someone new is told that they will lose their sight, including four children every day. We often take our sight for granted but there are over two million blind and partially sighted people living in the UK today. It is a devastating diagnosis, leaving parents uncertain as to how their child can join in with story time at nursery, follow school work with their sighted classmates, and make friends.
Living Paintings reaches these blind and partially sighted children by making well known stories and educational resources accessible for them. Our Touch to See books are designed to be shared. They include raised, tactile images, Braille inserts and engaging audio descriptions so that the senses of touch and sound combine and our visual world comes to life. The feely pictures are hand-painted and our national, postal library is run by wonderful volunteers who donate their time and skills. All our services are provided completely free.
In 2019 we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Living Paintings already delivers books to 7,700 children across the UK, but there is so much more to do – please help us to reach even more children. Please come and visit us, see our Touch to See books and find out more!
11.00 - 15.00
Learning to read is a precious gift. Books help children to develop their speech, aid concentration and open up a magical world of characters and imagination, creating a lifelong love of stories. But imagine a world where the child cannot see words or pictures.
Every 15 minutes someone new is told that they will lose their sight, including four children every day. We often take our sight for granted but there are over two million blind and partially sighted people living in the UK today. It is a devastating diagnosis, leaving parents uncertain as to how their child can join in with story time at nursery, follow school work with their sighted classmates, and make friends.
Living Paintings reaches these blind and partially sighted children by making well known stories and educational resources accessible for them. Our Touch to See books are designed to be shared. They include raised, tactile images, Braille inserts and engaging audio descriptions so that the senses of touch and sound combine and our visual world comes to life. The feely pictures are hand-painted and our national, postal library is run by wonderful volunteers who donate their time and skills. All our services are provided completely free.
In 2019 we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Living Paintings already delivers books to 7,700 children across the UK, but there is so much more to do – please help us to reach even more children. Please come and visit us, see our Touch to See books and find out more!
Sunday 17th March
On the High Street |
In the Inspiration Theatre |
At the Magnet Leisure Centre |
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Once Upon a Bus:
Experience the magic of storytelling on the magical Once Upon a Bus, where stories come to life. Sessions last around 30 minutes and are completely free. Sessions are limited to 35 people (20 for the SEN sessions) Room on the Broom (ages 2+)
The Three Witches, Macbeth (ages 5+)
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Illustration with Fiona Cradduck
12.00 & 14.00 Come and have fun drawing! The children will draw book characters and they will be guided in how to illustrate a short poem or story in a concertina book. Fiona will have her own signed books available for purchase at a special price. For children aged 5-10 years |
Reading and Dancing with Jenny Henwood
13.00 & 14.00 Welcome to the world of The Rainbow Riding School. Join Jenny for lots of fun in an interactive story telling session. Meet the toys from the books, hear the audios and learn Ketchup The Cockerel’s dance! There will be free balloons and bookmarks for all children. For children aged 4-8 
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