Some of the biggest and best-loved names in the world of books for younger readers will be heading to the city this autumn for the annual Bath Children’s Literature Festival.
Author Michael Rosen | Photo © Bath Children’s Literature Festival
They include former Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell, Rob Biddulph, Harry Hill, Richard Ayoade, Andy Day, Ben Miller, Robin Stevens, Liz Pichon and Bath-born Jacqueline Wilson.
Organisers behind what’s hailed as one of the world’s biggest festivals of its kind have put together a programme of more than 80 events running from Friday 27th September to Sunday 6th October.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 12th July but there is priority booking for patrons from today, Tuesday 9th July, and friends, sponsors and Waterstones card holders can buy tickets from Wednesday.
Both weekends of the festival will be filled with lots of interactive events with the chance to hear favourite authors and illustrators talking about their stories.
The Schools Programme during the week will also be hosting some top names, with children from 44 schools in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire taking part.
More than 1,000 free tickets have been given to children in state schools and every child who attends the Schools Programme with a free ticket will receive a free book.
The festival hub this year will be The Assembly Rooms, where official booksellers Waterstones will be setting up a special festival bookshop.
The Waterstones shop and café in Milsom Street will also be running events for families during the festival, including setting up The Illustrators Café during both festival weekends, featuring free how-to-draw events and activities with four illustrators in residence – Alice Tait, Luke Scriven, Conor Busuttil and Rhian Wright.
This autumn’s line-up has been put together by John and Gill McLay, who founded the Bath Children’s Literature Festival in 2007.
John McLay said: “We have a strong line-up of established superstar authors and illustrators, who we hope will delight the region’s bookworms in an extensive public programme of events and for schools.
“This festival is all about having fun – a place you’ll get to meet your literary heroes and be inspired to make and create your own stories.”
Gill McLay said: “Post-lockdown, we are hearing more and more about children’s reading abilities falling and the learning gap that Covid has left behind.
“As a result, it feels more important than ever to host live events with authors and illustrators to help children discover the joy in reading and creativity and offer families the opportunity to ignites their children’s imagination with books.”
You can book tickets online at bathfestivals.org.uk or by phone, 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on 01225 463362.
Alternatively get tickets in person at the Bath Box Office counter at 1a Forum Buildings, St James’ Parade.
