Age Suggestion: 5+

Follow Alem, who is in search of the perfect birthday party. He meets some friendly faces along the way who all warn him to not ask the fearsome dragon! Find out if he finds the perfect place to celebrate his big day – and what he learns along the way. 

Lemn Sissay, critically acclaimed author and poet laureate of the 2012 London Olympics, has turned his skills and unique perspective to children’s literature for new release Don’t Ask The Dragon. 

Lemn and Greg will welcome you into their fantastical world of talking animals and formidable foes. So pull up a seat, and settle down for this intimate telling of this modern-day fable. 

 

About The Authors

Lemn Sissay

Lemn Sissay is an author, poet and playwright and has been awarded an MBE for services to literature. In 2018 he was made Poet Laureate of Canterbury. He has read poetry everywhere, from the shores of Sri Lanka to Wigan Library and many places between. His autobiography My Name is Why was published in 2019.

Headshot of illustrator and guest at Bradford Literature Festival, Gregg Stobbs.

Gregg Stobbs

Greg Stobbs is an illustrator, street artist and associate lecturer from the Southeast UK. 

He’s worked internationally on a range of creative projects, from installations to interactive art pieces. In 2020, Greg created the illustrated digital backdrops for Cbeebies Christmas Pantomime. With an interest in creative inspiration, Greg has given a TED X talk on listening to children in order to rediscover wonder.  

 Most recently he has been illustrating his debut picture book, ‘Don’t Ask the Dragon’ by poet Lemn Sissay, which will be published in 2022. Using both traditional and digital techniques, Greg likes to develop magical stories and worlds that attempt to cross the boundaries between Fine Art, Street Art and Children’s book illustration.