An award-winning children's writer is bringing a totally free show inspired by his own family's fishing escapades to the Keighley Children's Literature Festival. Author and performer Oliver Sykes, 34, was one of six kids brought up on the breadline by his single parent dad on a council estate in the Peak District. When the children's mum suddenly walked out on the family, dad Chris quit his factory job to look after his children.
The boys and Dad go out fishing whilst 12-year old Kezia stays at home to tidy and cook. But Kezia has a plan, one that could transform her from a modern-day Cinderella into a super cool fishergirl. Fishing For Rainbows follows Oliver's successful stage version of his first book, Alfie's First Fight. Published in 2022, the book was named Illustrated Young Reader of the Year at the 2023 Children’s Literature Festivals Book Award.