Michael Morpurgo and Quentin Blake, past and present children’s laureates and fellow Francophiles, kick off the annual youth festival at the Institut Francais in South Kensington, London, on November 17 with an on-stage discussion. Three days of free events with authors and illustrators follow, with November 18 and 19 devoted to schools. Guests from France include Dominique de Saint Mars, creator of the “Max et Lilli” stories, and publisher Claude Helft, who, from 11am on Saturday, will lead a discussion for adults, in French, on religion in children’s books. See www.institut-francais.org.uk. Contact Herve Ferrage on 020 7073 1307; email: herve.farrage@diplomatie.gouv.fr.