Lots for children at Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival

Ventriloquist and magician John Piper will perform his puppet show

There is lots for children and families to look forward to at this year’s Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival.

With a ‘secret agent’ theme, children can use their programme, (available now from libraries) in Rochdale town centre to help unravel the mystery behind the theft of the key that winds the Town Hall clock.

At Rochdale Central Library on Saturday 21 October the much loved ventriloquist and magician John Piper performs his puppet show, which is suitable for children aged three and above.

There is a story time session at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre where author Adam Perrott will also sing songs and tell stories.

Local company Brown’s Cakes host an icing and writing class suitable for children aged seven and over on Sunday 22 October, giving everyone a chance to make a face from icing and then turn it into their own character. Host Natasha Brown has just published her first children’s book - ‘Caught Cake-Handed’ - using sugar paste figures to fashion her illustrations.

Also on Sunday, Rochdale’s Exchange Shopping Centre stages ‘Build a Bug Home’ – with bug specialists from Chester Zoo teaching kids how to make insect houses from twigs, grit, grot and grime. There is also a bat workshop and safari at Rochdale Pioneers Museum for children aged seven plus, with tips and tricks on understanding bats’ ecology and environment.

The Whiz Kids’ Club will be in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre on Monday 23 October with interactive trails, storytelling, writing sessions, games and crafts with fun characters. Complete all the activities and win a mini award.

Over at Rochdale AFC’s Crown Oil Arena will be ‘Spynosaur’ ,with renowned author Guy Bass. He will be bringing the story to life, featuring the elusive creature with the mind of a super-spy and the body of a dinosaur.

For younger children (aged up to five), throughout October there is a special Festival Rhyme Challenge during regular Bookstart Bear Club sessions, as well as much-loved classic stories from the Maskew Collection.

Copies of the Children’s Programme from libraries, Rochdale Town Hall, and Touchstones Arts and Heritage Centre.

• Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival programme on Rochdale Online's Events Diary