Dragon Master James Russell & Comedian Sam Smith

Dragons, the Gold Rush and an Anaconda Attack! Join us at the Masterton Library for an afternoon of tall tales and hilarious gags with children’s authors:  James Russell the Dragon Master and comedian, Sam Smith!

Designed to inadvertently inspire even the most reluctant readers to pick up a book. James and Sam will entertain and tell stories to give the kids a jump start into these popular series.

3.30pm – James Russell takes us on a spellbinding adventure with Flynn and Paddy as they hunt down dragons, from his 'Dragon Defenders' series. Then he’ll travel back in time to NZ’s Gold Rush with Michael and Atarangi from 'Children of the Rush'.

4.30pm – comedian and writer known for his work on Taskmaster and 7 Days, Sam Smith explores what you get when you cross The Bad Guys with Indian Jones as best friend’s Amelia and Shackleton avoid anaconda attacks and ultra villains to save their favourite place, in the first book in a new graphic novel series, 'Miles and Jones: The Anaconda Attack'

Ideal for ages 7–10 but inclusive for all. We want every Wairarapa kid to experience the joy of reading for fun, so come along and immerse your kids in the magic of books at this free event.

__

About Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a bestselling writer, comedian, and former-dentist. He pivoted from dentistry to comedy after a MS diagnosis caused him to partially lose his vision. He writes for the TV shows and creates the tasks for Taskmaster NZ. He is the go-to audience warm-up act for many shows including Dancing With the Stars, The Project, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Patriot Brains. He is the author of two picture books for kids, 'Snake Bought Cake' and 'Don't Scare the Dentist' and now, a new graphic novel series for junior readers, 'Miles and Jones: The Anaconda Attack'.

About James Russell

James Russell is an award-winning, best-selling children's writer based in Auckland. He has three children's picture books (the Dragon Brothers Trilogy) and eight junior fiction titles (The Dragon Defenders series, and the Children of the Rush historical fiction trilogy set in Otago and Hokitika during the gold rushes of the 1860s). James's books have been published in a dozen countries and sold more than 250,000 copies. James has won two Storylines Notable Book Awards and the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award, and has been shortlisted in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and the NZ Booklovers Awards

__


This event is part of Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading which takes place between 12–26th October 2024. This community-led festival features cracking yarns and tall tales for all ages from some of Aotearoa's best writers and storytellers held in an eclectic range of venues across the Wairarapa. View the full festival programme at yarnsinbarns.co.nz

Presented by Hedley's Books, Fraser Books, Masterton District Library and the Wairarapa Library Service.