Grandad's Island: from Page to Pavement

Grandad’s Island came to life on the streets of Waltham Forest.

Grandad’s Island: from Page to Pavement was inspired by local award-winning author and illustrator Benji Davies' 2015 book, Grandad’s Island. Presented by Walthamstow based arts development organisation Artillery, the people of Waltham Forest were invited to co-create a multi art-form story trail, transforming our neighbourhoods into tropical lands.

Free events took place across the borough during October 2019. The celebrations culminated in a finale in Langthorne Park, featuring dance, a procession, creative workshops, multilingual storytelling and a community feast. 

Other events included creative workshops and exhibitions such as Island Storytime for tiny tots at independent bookshop Phlox Books in Leyton and The Babel Project at The Mill—a multilingual storytelling event, which celebrated the many nationalities that come together at The Mill. 

Already translated into 35 languages, Grandad’s Island reflects the vast diversity of our borough. The book itself speaks of so many things that affect families, communities and individuals including migration, linking generations, love and loss, ecology and travel.

Download the programme here.