ANOBII FIRST BOOK AWARD NOMINEEs10:00- Are You Sitting Comfortably? 10:30 RBS Story Box, Free: Book in Advance All Ages Join us for a quick, magical dip into the world of words with our free morning events for children of all ages. It might be a story, a poem, songs and rhymes or a reading with one of our Festival authors. On today: Edinburgh Under Fives. 11:30 Sue Hendra RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 4 - 7 Sue Hendra is the creator of Barry the Fish with Fingers a delightful, inspiring and very funny story with bold, bright illustrations. Come and meet Sue's latest character, Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat and join in with stories, drawings and Barry-related crafts. 15:00 Janey Louise Jones RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 6 - 9 This is the perfect event for all lovers of ballet, for Cloudberry Castle School is where pupils can dance all day and young Katie Mackenzie is thrilled to attend. Join Katie's creator Janey Louise Jones, author of the bestselling Princess Poppy stories, to hear all about her new series and delightful characters as well as catch up with Poppy's latest adventure. 16:30 Lari Don RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 8 - 12 Come and join Lari Don for the launch of the fourth book in her First Aid for Fairies series, Maze Running and Other Magical Mysteries. These books have proved incredibly popular - Lari's use of the rugged Scottish landscape combined with mythical centaurs, selkies and dragons have gripped the imaginations of young readers. Lari reveals her inspiration and gives a taste of the latest exciting adventure. 17:00 Roald Dahl Funny Prize Event RBS Corner Theatre, £4.50 Families & 8+ 'Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.' So said Victor Hugo (and he should know). Come and bask in the warm glow of 2011 Funny Prize winner, Liz Pichon for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates and shortlisted author, Rose Impey for The Get Rich Quick Club as they discuss all things humorous, amusing and how comedy is the hardest thing to write. Order will be kept by Philip Ardagh, previous winner and judge (although not the same year as that would have been wrong). 18:30 Melvin Burgess & Margo Lanagan RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 14 - 16 Meet two of the most controversial authors writing for young adults today. Melvin Burgess and Margo Lanagan have both been criticised for the explicit nature of some of their work, in particular Doing It by Melvin and Tender Morsels by Margo, novels that reflect elements of life all too familiar to today's teenagers. Come and hear them talk about everything from sex to drugs, mythology to fairy tales and let them demonstrate how a skilful writer can sensitively lead their reader down any path to explore difficult subjects. 10:00- Are You Sitting Comfortably? 10:30 RBS Story Box, Free: Book in Advance All Ages Join us for a quick, magical dip into the world of words with our free morning events for children of all ages. It might be a story, a poem, songs and rhymes or a reading with one of our Festival authors. On today: Edinburgh Under Fives. 10:00 Really Wild Animal Stories with Nicola Davies RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 5 - 7 Do you know what animals say to each other when they think humans aren't listening? Find out with former zoologist and presenter of The Really Wild Show Nicola Davies. Watch in wonder as she introduces you to her new book Dolphin Baby! and a host of other animals and their behaviours in this fascinating, fun, fact-filled event. 15:00 Guy Bass RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 7 - 10 Guy Bass' book series include Stitch Head, Dinkin Dings, Atomic! and Gormy Ruckles. In 2010 he won the Blue Peter Book Award: Most Fun Story with Pictures for Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things. Join Guy for his hilarious, interactive and very active event combining comedy, chat and lots and lots of books! Just bring your head (with your body attached!) for some riotous, superhero fun. 16:30 Mermaids and Meanies with Moira Munro RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 7 - 9 The best thing about stories is the characters. Kittens don't have to be cute, mermaids don't have to be wet and we all love meanies don't we? Characters are fun to imagine and to draw. Writer and illustrator Moira Munro brings you the Finger of Doom and other weird and wonderful ways to create your own awesome characters. 18:30 Dave Cousins & Sara Grant RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 14 - 16 Sara Grant's novel Dark Parties is set in a future where the last of humanity live in a domed world and are fed lies to keep them docile. In 15 Days without a Head, Dave Cousins tackles the thorny issue of family breakdown. Both authors are part of The Edge, a group of writers creating cutting edge fiction for teens. Come and hear them talk about their work and influences. Mon 20 AugustTues 21 AugustMelvin Burgess, 18:3074

ANOBII FIRST BOOK AWARD NOMINEE10:00- Are You Sitting Comfortably? 10:30 RBS Story Box, Free: Book in Advance All Ages Join us for a quick, magical dip into the world of words with our free morning events for children of all ages. It might be a story, a poem, songs and rhymes or a reading with one of our Festival authors. On today: Edinburgh Under Fives. 11:30 Alice Melvin RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 3 - 7 Illustrator and designer, Alice Melvin's work is inspired by her love of paper, print and decorative arts. Animals, birds, pattern and the odd teapot occur frequently! She loves interactive elements and in her new book The High Street, each page folds out to reveal the magical inside of different shops from bakery to hardware store. Join her as she takes you on a truly enchanting shopping trip. Alice's work is currently part of a book illustrator exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland. 15:00 Ronda Armitage RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 4 - 7 A little boy and his grandad and a spotty giraffe toy go out one day for a ride on a train. They're off on a journey to Blueberry Hill. What will they see? What will they do? Join Ronda Armitage, author of the popular The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch, to find out as she takes you on an exciting steam train ride to discover her latest book, Wave the Flag and Blow the Whistle. 16:30 Sally Grindley RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 6 - 10 Author of over 130 books, Sally Grindley offers a lively, interactive event all about International Rescue, her brand new series of adventure books written in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, and featuring a family who travel around the globe to help save endangered animals. Sally has always been fascinated by animals and so jumped at the chance of writing an animal adventure series and if you too love animals, you'll love this event. 17:00 Anne Cassidy, Teri Terry & Susanne Winnacker RBS Corner Theatre, £4.50 Age 14 - 16 Why do writers write? Three authors of young adult literature explain why and what attracts them to a particular genre. Teri Terry examines how dystopian fiction shines a light on big issues facing our society; Anne Cassidy writes crime fiction for teenagers, placing her young protagonists in difficult situations where they have to help themselves; Susanne Winnacker asks why zombies are so fascinating and ponders the science behind the fiction: is it even possible to bring animals or humans back to life? Three very different authors who together reflect the diversity of the fantastic fiction in print today. 19:00 THE ESRC GENOMICS POLICY AND RESEARCH FORUM EVENT The Scientist in Fiction: Creative or Crazed Genius? RBS Corner Theatre, £4.50 Age 12+ Science at school is seen as a facts and figures discipline but it's a rich source of innovation that can change the way we all experience the world. Author Sophie McKenzie has written about genetics in her Medusa Project and Blood Ties series, exploring the emotional, social and scientific consequences of manipulating genes. Her scientists are complex, ambiguous characters. Sophie is joined by Dr Alistair Elfick, Director of the Centre for Biomedical Engineering at Edinburgh University and David Kirby, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the University of Manchester, to explore why so often in fiction the creative genius is portrayed as an evil genius. 10:00- Are You Sitting Comfortably? 10:30 RBS Story Box, Free: Book in Advance All Ages Join us for a quick, magical dip into the world of words with our free morning events for children of all ages. It might be a story, a poem, songs and rhymes or a reading with one of our Festival authors. On today: Edinburgh Under Fives. 10:00 Cats and Dogs with Maria Cairnie RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 3 - 7 Writer and storyteller Maria Cairnie comes to the Book Festival with a highly interactive tale of canine tearaway Blitzy Boy Walker and his devoted feline friend, the beautiful white Persian cat named Sassica Spall. Maria combines her flair for energetic and engaging story-sharing with a back-drop of dance, musical theatre and creative spontaneity. Tickets admit 1 child and 1 accompanying adult. Adult supervision recommended. 15:00 Polly Dunbar RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 4 - 7 Join award-winning author and illustrator Polly Dunbar as she reads from her newest book, the magical Arthur's Dream Boat. Together you'll explore dreams and imagination and discover where her ideas originate. Loads of live drawing, plenty of puppets, an event full of fun - and the opportunity to help Polly create a spectacular new story! 16:30 Josh Lacey RBS Imagination Lab, £4.50 Age 7 - 10 Josh Lacey, author of The Island of Thieves, Bearkeeper and the Grk books (published under the name Joshua Doder) has travelled to some amazing countries such as India, Italy, Australia and Brazil. Come and hear about his exploits and how his travels have influenced and inspired his writing, especially his latest novel set in Peru and featuring a mysterious manuscript, hidden chests of gold and silver, plundering pirates, majestic galleons and legendary sea voyages. 17:00 Sophie McKenzie RBS Corner Theatre, £4.50 Age 12 - 16 Sophie McKenzie is the bestselling author of Sister, Missing and Girl, Missing as well as Blood Ties, Blood Ransom, Falling Fast and The Medusa Project series. Come and hear her talk about why she mixes romance with action and adventure in her writing. What is the difference between the two genres from a writing point of view? And what are the pros and cons of tackling each genre? Wed 22 AugustThurs 23 AugustA trail of paw prints led him through a deep dark forest, where countless eyes followed his every move...Sally Grindley, Paw Prints in the Snow, 16:30Latecomers will not be admitted after the start of events and no refunds will be given.Events are 1 hour long unless otherwise stated and take place in Charlotte Square Gardens.75