Linton is a thriving rural village near Cambridge where Anna McMahon — a teacher and organizer — launched the Linton Children’s Book Festival in 2006.

The festival is a biennial community-run celebration of books and children held in the village. The festival offers a week-long programme of free events, including in-school author visits and community story-times, culminating in a weekend of inspiring talks by well-known writers and illustrators, art and writing workshops and drop-in activities – all with the aim of promoting curiosity, creativity, literacy and reading for pleasure.

But this isn’t just a celebration of local or English writers. Instead, the LCBF aims to bring the world’s writers to Linton. We talked with Anna McMahon about why — and how — she brings international literature to Linton.

Why is it important to bring international voices to the Linton Children’s Book Festival, or to other children’s literary events around England? Why does international literature matter?

Anna McMahon: Books and stories can offer a window on the world, and events like Linton Children’s Book Festival provide a fantastic opportunity to open up that window for children who may not have experienced different cultures before. It’s important for children growing up in England to realise that literature is created in different countries and languages and can reflect cultures other than their own, and that they can have access to all that through books. For kids from non- or partly British backgrounds an international element to a literary festival is a great way to signal that the event is very much for them, too – everyone belongs in books!

What were you hoping for when you founded the Linton Children’s Book Festival? How would you like to see it continue to grow? 

AM: At first the main aim was simply to promote literacy and love of books, but it soon became clear that the festival could also encompass a wider mission of community-building and inclusivity. Our most recent festival, in May 2018, featured several international authors and illustrators, and we were happy to observe that we attracted many international and mixed nationality families – we overheard all sorts of languages and accents being spoken. We intend to keep a global outlook at our event because in addition to the goal of bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome, it’s just interesting and fun!

How do you introduce new writers — and new story experiences — to children (who sometimes, like adults, can be fixed in their tastes)? 

AM: Our most effective method is to bring authors and storytellers into schools, where we have a captive audience. By choosing engaging speakers and performers we soon win over children who might otherwise never have read a book about the Philippines, or thought of listening to a story told with music by Vivaldi…  During our festival weekend, attended by kids with their parents, we fill our programme with enticing opportunities and provide all events for free in the hopes that families will try something new because…what have they got to lose?

If a smaller book-fest couldn’t afford to bring in authors and translators from around the world, are there ways they could still integrate international literature for young people? 

AM: There are quite a few international authors and illustrators based in Britain, so tap into that resource – you can soon find them with a bit of googling. Publishers like Lantana have some great contacts. Or you could create a drop-in area showcasing books in translation – add an activity like matching the books to a world map so kids see for themselves that every country produces exciting stories and books. Make sure you donate the sample books to your local school or library after your event so that kids can really tuck into them!

What are some books you recommend with particular passion to young people? 

AM: I’m a fan of Candy Gourlay’s books for older children, Tall Story, Shine and Bone Talk, which both feature Filipino culture. My own kids partly grew up in the USA and we loved Beverley Cleary’s funny and touching Ramona series about a convincingly “real” everyday American family. For little ones, Chitra Soundar’s picture books are a lovely introduction to Indian themes.