This weekend (Fri 23 Sept) sees the opening of the ten-day Bath Children’s Literature Festival which will see a host of authors visiting the city to meet their young fans.
Among the celebrity names coming to the festival are David Baddiel, Julian Clary, Cressida Cowell, Richard Ayaode, Dermot O’Leary and Dame Jacqueline Wilson. Europe’s largest children’s book festival will see more than 100 events, including storytime for little ones, family-friendly draw-alongs and creative workshops.
Joining the line-up this autumn are a number of YA (Young Adult) writers including Simon James Green and Alice Oseman, creator of the Heartstopper series.
Bath’s iconic and historic venues, including The Guildhall, the Holburne Museum, The Forum and BRLSI (Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute) will be used during the festival and hundreds of children will attend special schools events.
The festival experience includes a whole range of free activities. There is a free character trail run in conjunction with Bath BID and on Sunday 2 October The American Museum and Gardens at Claverton will offer free admission for families to enjoy dinosaur-themed activities.
This weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, The Egg theatre will be open all day where Bath Children’s Literature Festival has teamed up with the theatre to bring us The Happiness Hub. There will be a whole weekend of free activities, including the chance to join a free story time session led by a real-life mermaid.
For a full programme and to book festival tickets visit https://bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature/whats-on/