Adele Geras, Wendy Meddour, Nicolette Jones

Children's Books: An Overview

Two children's writers and a children's books critic consider the trends workings and expectations of the modern children's books industry. What are the changing tastes among publishers and young readers and how does the writer and the reviewer go about meeting these expectations?Adèle Gras was an actress singer and French teacher before turning to full-time writing in 1976. Since then she has published more than 90 books for children and young adults including Troy; Ithacka; Happy Ever After; Silent Snow; and A Thousand Yards of Sea.Wendy Meddour is a writer and illustrator of funny award-winning children's books including How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel; A Hen in the Wardrobe; The Black Cat Detectives; and the Wendy Quill series.Jones is a writer and critic who has been children's books editor of The Sunday Times for more than 20 years. In 2012 she was shortlisted for the Eleanor Farjeon Award for distinguished service to the world of children's books.All three speakers are alumnae of St Hilda's College. This event is part of St Hilda's Day at the festival.