South Ken Kids Festival 2013

It’s that time of year again – the South Ken Kids Festival is in town from today until Sunday and this year it has a French flavour, being held at the Institut Français. Most of the weekday events are limited to schools, but you can book now for film fun on Saturday or Sunday – see Room on the Broom and meet illustrator Axel Scheffler or  check out divine-sounding French animation The King and the Mockingbird. There are also weekend workshops with a host of illustrators – best for under-fives are Marion Billet (creator of Noodle the panda, plus you’ll recognise her cute drawings, above, from Djeco’s puzzles and games), Nicholas Allan (The Queens Knickers) and Claudia Boldt (the artist behind Melvin the monkey). The Drawing Duos are also worth a look, particularly the opening one which features Quentin Blake and Philippe Dumas collaborating on stage. Tickets cost between £5 and £7.