Alice Blackwell & Barbara Henderson: Artifacts and Fiction

Be catapulted back in time to the Viking Age with this thrilling new historical adventure story from one of Scotland’s finest children’s authors, Barbara Henderson. In The Chessmen Thief we meet 12 year old Kylan, a Viking slave who helped carve the Lewis chess pieces. When Kylan gets the chance to return to the Isle of Lewis where they were originally crafted, the chess pieces become his only chance of survival. After a reading from the novel and giving some writing tips, Barbara is joined by Dr Alice Blackwell, Senior Curator of Medieval Archaeology and History, and the person who looks after the real-life chess pieces on display in the National Museum of Scotland. In this event, filmed live at the 2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival, Barbara and Alice talk to Steve Brusatte, author of The Age of Dinosaurs, about how these incredible medieval artifacts still spark the imagination of so many.

Book Festival News

Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024 Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024
Friday 13 December

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Watch more

Debi Gliori: A Man's Best Furry Friend Debi Gliori: A Man's Best Furry Friend This is the story of a cat called Waverley and the man who belonged to him. When Donald has to go far, far away to fight in a strange land Waverley looks all over Edinburgh for him, but will he ever find his friend again? The renowned illustrator and… Janina Ramirez: Goddesses, Spirits, Saints Janina Ramirez: Goddesses, Spirits, Saints Historian Janina Ramirez hosts an hour packed with power and spirit. Discover the goddesses, witches, demons and spirits that have shaped our belief systems over millennia. From Medusa to Mami Wata, Brigid to Lakshmi, meet the powerful female figures from… Charms and Curses with Elle McNicoll  Charms and Curses with Elle McNicoll  In Like a Curse, the fantastic sequel, to Like a Charm, festival favourite Elle McNicoll takes us to her hometown of Edinburgh, but not as we know it. This thrilling and heart-warming conclusion to her enthralling fantasy duology sees our witch heroine… Lucy Farfort: Build Your Own Magical Den Lucy Farfort: Build Your Own Magical Den Amy’s new room is strange and scary, and her new house just does not feel like home! But with some new friends, and a little magic from Dad, can Amy stop being Afraid of the Dark? Find out in this delightful event with illustrator Lucy Farfort, then join… Andy Stanton (2010 children's event) Andy Stanton (2010 children's event) Highly energetic, funny-man Andy Stanton reads from jotters that he wrote when he was eight… Maisie Chan Does Not Do Maths (But She Does Write Awesome Books!) Maisie Chan Does Not Do Maths (But She Does Write Awesome Books!) Meet Maisie Chan and find out about her novel, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths. Danny loves drawing more than anything – certainly more than maths, which is what he is ‘supposed’ to be good at. Then Danny’s life is turned upside down by a surprise visit… Izzy Investigates with Pamela Butchart Izzy Investigates with Pamela Butchart Blue Peter Award-winning author Pamela Butchart needs YOUR help in this unmissable event for children and schools. In her hilarious new book, The Secret School Invasion, Izzy’s school is being merged with St. Bartholomew’s Primary – their greatest rivals!… Celebrating Difference with George Webster Celebrating Difference with George Webster George Webster has presented on CBeebies, starred in Strictly Come Dancing, and become an ambassador for people with Down’s Syndrome. Today he appears alongside his co-author, CBeebies and Something Special producer Claire Taylor, and illustrator, Tim… Yvette Fielding: Who You Gonna Call? Ghosthunters! Yvette Fielding: Who You Gonna Call? Ghosthunters! TV’s Most Haunted presenter Yvette Fielding returns to share her super scary story The Ripper of Whitechapel. In this latest instalment of The Ghost Hunter Chronicles, Eve, Clovis and Tom investigate a haunted school. But why are the ghosts there? And… The Beano (2013 event) The Beano (2013 event) Morris Heggie and Mike Stirling of DC Thomson take a fun-filled journey through the long and illustrious history of the Beano…