Hilary Cooke

Hilary Cooke, Producer of the 26 Letters’ programme for Brighton Festival 2015 discusses her highlights for this year which include a special panel event about Tove Jansson author of the Moomins' books with Jansson’s niece Sophia who appears as a character in The Summer Book alongside Philip Pullman and Philip Ardagh. Children's literary legends Jacqueline Wilson and Julia Donaldson also feature this year. Hilary discusses the'fascinating and enjoyable' process of working with Guest Director Ali Smith saying it was “lovely hearing all her ideas as a literary influence”. Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize Piers Torday will also be appearing along with A.F. Harold and local illustrator and Brighton alumnus Emily Gravett. William Sutcliffe’s Circus of Thieves and the Raffle of Doom is this year's Young City Reads which explores themes of nature and migration.