This year's Isle of Wight Story Festival attracted hundreds of people from across the world - including as far as the Netherlands, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
Over the four days, the festival – which mixed pre-recorded, with live-streamed YouTube sessions – attracted 2,853 views from 855 different devices.
But if you didn’t manage to catch it live, the good news is that all sessions will remain on the IW Story Festival’s YouTube channel, at least until Saturday (27).
The inspirational four-day online programme of stories included sessions from children’s writer and former CBeebies presenter, Cerrie Burnell; shadow puppet company Emergency Turtle; Carnegie Medal long-lister Tom Palmer; and the Island’s own award-winning children’s writer Kieran Larwood.
Local author Peta Rainford, one of the event’s organisers, said:
"We are so pleased with the way it all came together.
“We hadn’t originally planned to do an online event, but we had to adapt to the circumstances. Thanks to our fabulous performers and wonderful audience, we still managed to create a festival vibe, with lots of people posting comments and asking questions during sessions and getting involved with the various crafts and writing activities.”
Among many other things participants enjoyed making nesting rings with local naturalist Kathy Grogan; making treasure chains with children’s author Eve McDonnell; and drawing dolphins, pugs and unicorns with local author and illustrator Jules Marriner.
Anna Joy, commenting on Facebook, said:
“Thank you so much to all involved in creating and producing the IW Story Festival. It has been awesome and we’ve spoken along, sung along, listened and enjoyed every story experience.
"My daughter has loved learning how to draw pugs, unicorns and dolphins.
"Thank you for it - wishing we could thank you in person!”
Iona Grace said:
“We loved being able to join in this year. We wouldn’t have been able to get to so many in person as we aren’t on the Island so it was enormously appreciated. Huge thanks to all the authors and illustrators and others who made it happen.”
The organisers say they are looking forward to putting on a live ‘physical’ IW Story Festival in Newport during February half term 2022, but, in view of this year’s successful event, hope to incorporate an on-line element too, to enable a wider audience to enjoy the festival.
You can still catch the sessions on the IW Story Festival’s YouTube channel and find out more about the IW Story Festival from its website, www.iwstoryfestival.com.
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