Reading connects us, sparking imagination, curiosity and conversation. In the National Year of Reading, join thousands of pupils, teachers, authors, poets and illustrators for a celebration of books and storytelling in all its forms.
Responding to demand, we’ve expanded our offer this year with even more free storytelling sessions and creative writing workshops.
We’re also thrilled to be celebrating 10 years of Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils, marking a decade of inspiring reading for pleasure in classrooms across the country.
We can’t wait to welcome you to discover new stories, meet favourite authors and celebrate the power of reading together.
Emma Gardner
Learning and Participation Manager
Loraine Evans
and Schools Programme Manager
Primary Schools Maximise Your Day
9.30am – 2.30pm every school day.
There are lots of free things to do at the Festival on top of your booked author event.
Story Shack
Listen, laugh and get lost in a good story told by our expert storytellers, Richard O’Neill and Isabella Mead Book one of our ticketed shows or workshops and request a free storytelling session.
Character Costumes
Look out for the Gruffalo, Tom Gates and the Donut Squad parading around the Festival Village. Have your camera at the ready!
The Den
A free drop-in activity tent for making, doing and playing including creating a new land for Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree and lots more
The Hush
Discover a quiet space in a busy world, where we pause, wonder and dream through creativity, storytelling and stillness, exploring faith, our stories and big dreams.
Picnic Areas
Enjoy your picnics in our covered picnic tent or any of the grassy spaces and picnic tables around the Festival site, all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Waterstones
Come along to the Waterstones Children’s Bookshop to browse the shelves, get recommendations from our expert booksellers and meet authors after their events.
Click and Collect
Festival Books
If you’d like to pre-order books for your classroom or library, please complete our Book Pre-Order Form. Where possible, we will have your books pre-signed by the author and ready to collect from the on-site Waterstones Children’s Bookshop on the day of your event. 20% of the value of your book order goes to support our charity.
Little People, BIG DREAMS 10th Anniversary Trail
This trail brings to life the bestselling children’s biography series by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Pick up a quiz sheet from the Trail Tent and find the trail posters to learn the real-life stories of some extraordinary people.
MONTPELLIER SPA ROAD
MONTPELLIER WALK
Listening Hut by
Parabola
Reception and KS1 Years
1–2
Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt
£7.50 per pupil. R and Years 1–2
Step into an imaginative world of story building with author Pippa Goodhart and illustrator Nick Sharratt at our You Choose book party. Bursting with colourful pictures and big questions, pick characters, places, pets and more to decide what happens next.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30 – 11.15am LS07
£12.99
Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton
£7.50 per pupil. R and Years 1–2
Solving mysteries and sniffing out trouble! Once robbers, now crimesolvers, baker dogs Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are on the case. Join creators Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton for a lively session of interactive storytelling, live illustration and PAW-some drawing and games.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 10.45am LS08
£7.99
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
£7.50 per pupil. Years 1–2
Explore a sparklingly silly adventure with the Adventuremice team, author Philip Reeve and illustrator Sarah McIntyre. Discover the world of Of Mice and Mummies as the intrepid Adventuremice journey to a secret island of mouse sphinxes, pyramids and palaces. Packed with draw-alongs and creativity, this is unmissable fun for young adventurers.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30am – 11.15am LS01
£6.99
Joseph Coelho and Shirley Hottier
£7.50 per pupil. Years 1–2
Through wordplay, storytelling and plenty of audience participation, poet and performer Joseph Coelho, with illustrator Shirley Hottier, demonstrate how ideas can leap, dance and rhyme. They inspire pupils to find their own voices and discover the magic of poetry.
Enjoy the hilarious tales of a small sausage dog with big questions in author Jim Beckett ’s new Buzz Sausage Wolf series. This interactive event features fun, creative tasks, readings and plenty of laughter. With help from a silly puppet friend, help Jim shape a brand-new collaborative story to turn into a brilliant, improvised ukulele song.
SESSION TIMES
10 – 10.45am
Little People, BIG DREAMS
£7.50 per pupil. Years 1–2
Discover how Little People, BIG DREAMS creator Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara researches real-life heroes and turns their stories into inspiring picture books through lively games, songs and quizzes. With live drawing from illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, poetry and plenty of fun surprises, learn how big dreams become brilliant stories. Hosted by Emma Swan
SESSION TIMES
Tom Percival
£7.50 per pupil. R and Years 1–2
Join author-illustrator Tom Percival for a warm, uplifting Big Bright Feelings event. With live drawing, props and music, Tom shows how even little people can have big emotions, helping to explore empathy, confidence and self-expression in a joyful and reassuring way. Bring stories to life and celebrate big feelings.
Sample Day Out
Arrive on site and make your way in with a warm welcome from our friendly volunteers.
Pick up a quiz sheet and explore the Little People, BIG DREAMS trail.
Enjoy your ticketed author event.
Meet the author in the bookshop to buy books, have them signed, ask questions and take photos. Our specialist children’s booksellers will be on hand with brilliant book recommendations.
Lunchtime in one of our picnic areas – keep an eye out, the Gruffalo might stroll by!
Settle in for a free pre-booked storytelling session in Story Shack.
Plan Your Day
Use the handy primary school event planner on p15
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE
12 – 12.45pm LS09
£7.99
Head into The Den to enjoy free activities, including creating a brand-new land at the top of The Magic Faraway Tree.
Pause at The Hush to reflect and reset before heading back to the coach.
See page 2 for full details on all our free activities
Key Stage 2 Years
3–6
Matt Goodfellow
£7.50 per pupil. Year 6
Celebrate the freedom and fun of poetry, a place where accent, dialect and individuality shine with poet and novelist Matt Goodfellow. Through powerful performances and audience interaction, Matt tells his journey to becoming a writer and introduces his new book
Six Weeks, a heartfelt story about navigating change and grief.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS21
£8.99
Creating Comic Characters
£8.50 per pupil. Years 3 and 4
Create your own comic adventure with InvestiGators creator John Patrick Green Discover how he designs characters like Mango, Brash and Cilantro and dreams up new heroes, villains and twists. Perfect for any budding cartoonist, create a one-page comic packed with action, jokes and imagination.
Laugh your head off with award-winning author-illustrator Nadia Shireen as she leads you back into the wonderfully weird world of Grimwood, home to thieving eagles, dramatic ducks, riotous rabbits and a party-mad crow. Discover what it takes to create your own story and get your pencils ready for a step-by-step guide on how to draw some of her fantastic Grimwood characters.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12 – 1pm LS26
£7.99
Sharna Jackson
£7.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
Meet the Author
Come to the on-site Waterstones Children’s Bookshop after each event to meet the author.
Uncover the secrets of mystery writing with author Sharna Jackson in this high-energy interactive session inspired by The Street Art Mystery. Explore how clues, suspects and twists build a great mystery and learn to think like a detective and a writer. Gather evidence and ideas to spark your own gripping mystery tales.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12 – 1pm LS02
£8.99
Sharna Jackson
£7.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
Uncover the secrets of mystery writing with author Sharna Jackson in this high-energy interactive session inspired by The Street Art Mystery. Explore how clues, suspects and twists build a great mystery and learn to think like a detective and a writer. Gather evidence and ideas to spark your own gripping mystery tales.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS28
£8.99
Creating Magical Characters
£8.50 per pupil.
Years 4, 5 and 6
Discover the imagination behind Inkbound ’s fantastical flying cities and heroes with author Philippa Leathley Get stuck in and create your own magical characters with practical tips on bringing them to life.
Delve into the secret world of The Finders of Silverthorn Forest with author Rachel Chivers Khoo. With props and participation, Rachel explores the book’s themes of friendship, courage, resilience and the importance of caring for wild spaces.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12 – 1pm LS37
£7.99
Sample Day Out
Arrive on site and make your way in with a warm welcome from our friendly volunteers.
Pick up a quiz sheet and explore the Little People, BIG DREAMS trail.
Enjoy your ticketed author event.
Meet the author in the bookshop to buy books, have them signed, ask questions and take photos. Our specialist children’s booksellers will be on hand with brilliant book recommendations.
Lunchtime in one of our picnic areas – keep an eye out, the Gruffalo might stroll by!
Settle in for a free pre-booked storytelling session in Story Shack.
Head into The Den to enjoy free activities, including creating a brand-new land at the top of The Magic Faraway Tree.
Pause at The Hush to reflect and reset before heading back to the coach.
See page 2 for full details on all our free activities
David Solomons
£7.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
What if good manners weren’t just polite… but the law? Enter the gripping world of The Ministry of Manners, where every word is monitored and one slip can spark rebellion. Join bestselling author David Solomons to explore how dystopian worlds are built, how language shapes power, and what happens when “good behaviour” goes too far.
SESSION TIMES
£7.99
Kieran Larwood
£7.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
Celebrate the action-packed epic rabbit realm fantasy series Podkin One-Ear with author Kieran Larwood. Discover how Kieran’s worlds take shape, drawing on childhood favourites like Fighting Fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons and map out your own fantasy worlds as a springboard for story writing in this interactive session.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30 – 11.30am LS22
£7.99
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
£7.50 per pupil. Years 4, 5 and 6
Unlock your inner superstar with author Rashmi Sirdeshpande in this fun, empowering session about finding your voice and playing with words. Meet Hari Kumar, Ultimate Superstar – a hilarious diary-style story about an autistic child with ADHD and big Bollywood dreams – then create your own stereotype-smashing characters. A lively, creative event from an award-winning neurodivergent author.
Put on your sneaky shoes, create a jewel thief and plan a heist with Eve WersockiMorris, author of the Clem Fatale series – adventure comedies about jewel thieves set in 1950s London. No need to worry about perfect spelling and grammar; this fun, interactive workshop is all about ideas and imagination for aspiring young writers who love mystery and adventure.
Discover the world of Cassia Thorne with author Zohra Nabi and uncover the real Victorian history behind her thrilling Dickensian adventure. Explore workhouses, child labour and life along the Thames, test your survival skills in a lively quiz and transform your own hometown into a mysterious setting using historical detail and sense of place.
Jenny McLachlan
£7.50 per pupil. Years 3, 4 and 5
Enter the magical Land of Roar with Jenny McLachlan, whose fantasy adventures celebrate the power of imagination. In this prop-filled session, grow dragons, create imaginary schools and take part in a Roar mini-play. With plenty of laughs and creativity, Jenny shares how she brings Roar to life.
SESSION
– 11.30am
Andy Stanton
£7.50 per pupil. Years 3 and 4
Celebrate twenty gloriously bonkers years of Mr Gum! with award-winning author Andy Stanton. Expect an energetic, laugh-out-loud session packed with jokes, props, silly voices and delightfully terrible singing. Alongside the chaos, Andy weaves in uplifting, quietly powerful moments that spark imagination and confidence, lighting a fire of enthusiasm even in the most reluctant readers.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12 – 1pm LS32 £7.99
Create An Imagination Island
£8.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
Set off on a storytelling adventure with Mel Taylor-Bessent, creator of the WriteForFun YouTube channel and author of Race to Imagination Island. Build characters in a Top-Trump-style game, plot journeys on a map, and use Mel’s special 5-4-3-2-1 method to plan an action-packed adventure. A fun, confidence-boosting session where imagination leads the way.
Bring comic adventures to life with Tiny Hercules creators Jon Lock and Nich Angell . With practical tips on crafting characters and visual storytelling, take part in a draw-along, sketch your own tiny heroes and build bold exciting worlds of legendary proportions.
Descend into the dungeons of Castle Grotteskew and meet Stitch Head — the long-forgotten creation of eccentric Professor Erasmus. When a travelling ringmaster promises him fame, could it be time to leave the castle at last? Join Guy Bass for a high-energy session of animated readings, pictures, humour and writing tips, revealing the childhood inspirations behind his Stitch Head stories.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS14
£7.99
Make Poetry Magic
£8.50 per pupil. Years 3, 4 and 5
Spark your creativity with award-winning writer Joseph Coelho in a lively, interactive poetry workshop. Discover playful techniques to fire the imagination, explore poetic forms and bring poems to life through expressive reading. Children will create their own poems and leave inspired to keep writing.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with master storyteller Katherine Rundell . Explore the world of Impossible Creatures, a perilous archipelago where mythical beings roam and their survival is under threat. Discover how Katherine builds her extraordinary fantasy worlds and be inspired to imagine your own.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30 – 11.30am LS03
£16.99
16 October
Hannah Gold
£7.50 per pupil. Years 4, 5 and 6
Uncover the real-life inspirations behind Hannah Gold ’s wild world of storytelling in this event about wild animals and the power of stories. With tips on writing about endangered animals and ecofriendly actions, this interactive session, including a live reading and a wildlife quiz, will spark curiosity and care for our planet.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12-1pm LS18
£8.99
Create An Imagination Island
£8.50 per pupil. Years 5 and 6
Set off on a storytelling adventure with Mel Taylor-Bessent, creator of the WriteForFun YouTube channel and author of Race to Imagination Island. Build characters in a Top-Trump-style game, plot journeys on a map, and use Mel’s special 5-4-3-2-1 method to plan an action-packed adventure. A fun, confidence-boosting session where imagination leads the way.
Discover how Little People, BIG DREAMS creator Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara researches real-life heroes and turns their stories into inspiring picture books, through lively games, songs and quizzes. With live drawing from illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, poetry and plenty of fun surprises, learn how big dreams become brilliant stories. Hosted by Emma Swan SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS04
£9.99 – £10.99
Little People, BIG DREAMS
10th Anniversary Trail
This trail brings to life the bestselling children’s biography series by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Pick up a quiz sheet from the Trail Tent and find the trail posters to learn the real-life stories of some extraordinary people.
Meet the Author
Come to the on-site Waterstones Children’s Bookshop after each event to meet the author.
Complete Your Booking Here
Booking opens at 4pm on Tuesday 16 June
Galaxy
of Story Ideas
£8.50 per pupil.
Years 3 and 4
Blast off into a space-powered creative workshop with Ryan Crawford, inspired by his illustrated adventure series Cosmic Cadets. Ryan shares how his love of games and imagination launched his journey to becoming an author, encouraging pupils to spot story ideas across their own universe. Through fun, interactive activities, discover how everyday moments can transform into bold, out-of-this-world tales.
MC Grammar and Michael Rosen
£7.50 per pupil. Years 3 and 4
Get ready to rhyme, rap and ROAR with laughter as Former Children’s
Laureate Michael Rosen joins forces with teacher and author MC Grammar for an action-packed, high-energy musical showdown. Watch raps go head-to-head with rhymes in a lively celebration of poetry, performance and wordplay.
£7.99
£7.99
Our public Literature Festival programme goes live on Wednesday 12 August. Check out hundreds of events to enjoy with family and friends.
Storytelling
Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
Sharna Jackson David Solomons
Kieran Larwood
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Zohra Nabi
Jim Beckett
Little People, BIG DREAMS
Tom Percival
Jenny McLachlan
Bass
Galaxy of Story Ideas
Galaxy of Story Ideas
Michael Rosen and MC Grammar
Hannah Gold
Katherine Rundell
Andy Stanton
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Rachel Chivers Khoo
to Write a Heist
Comic Characters
Comic Characters
Shireen
Creating Magical Characters
How to Write a Heist
Joseph Coelho
Joseph Coelho
Create a Tiny, Mighty Comic
Poetry Magic
Sharna Jackson
Secondary Schools Maximise Your Day
9.30am – 2.30pm every school day.
There are lots of free things to do at the Festival on top of your booked author event.
Listening Hut by BBC Audiobooks
Audiobooks are an accessible way for students to access great writing whether it’s on the bus, in a busy household or to wind down before sleep. Students can visit the Listening Hut by BBC Audiobooks to sample some of the many audiobooks available.
Young Adult Book Swap
Looking for your next read? Drop into The Snug in the Feast Cafe on Friday 16th October 11am – 1pm for a KS4 and KS5 book swap. Bring a book and leave with something new.
The Hush
Discover a quiet space in a busy world, where we pause, wonder and dream through creativity, storytelling and stillness, exploring faith, our stories and big dreams.
Picnic Tent
Enjoy your picnics in our covered picnic tent or any of the grassy spaces and picnic tables around the festival site, all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Teen Space
Students can relax and discover our new space on site designed with teens in mind.
There are so many books – I just want them ALL!
Pupil
Waterstones on-site Children’s and Young Adult Bookshop
Come along to the Waterstones Children’s Bookshop with a dedicated area for Young Adults to browse the shelves, get recommendations from our expert booksellers, meet authors after their events and have books signed.
MONTPELLIER SPA ROAD
Listening Hut by
Audiobooks
Cheltenham
Parabola
Key Stage 3 Years
7–9
Matt Goodfellow
£7.50 per pupil. Year 7
Celebrate the freedom and fun of poetry, a place where accent, dialect and individuality shine with poet and novelist Matt Goodfellow. Through powerful performances and audience interaction, Matt tells his journey to becoming a writer and introduces his new book Six Weeks, a heartfelt story about navigating change and grief.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE
10 – 11am LS21
£8.99
Lucas Maxwell
£7.50 per pupil. Year 8 and 9
Could playing Dungeons & Dragons shape the way you write? Librarian, author and D&D Dungeon Master Lucas Maxwell shares the process behind his gritty but funny debut novel, drawn from his experience growing up neurodivergent in rural Nova Scotia. He discusses turning real life into fiction, then guides students in crafting a collaborative D&D-style narrative that shows how characters and choices drive story.
Note: A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once includes themes of family addiction.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS39
£8.99
Writing Murder Mystery
£8.50 per pupil.
Year 8 and 9
Become a suspect and maybe catch a murderer in this exciting writing workshop with Anna February, author of The Hive and The Swarm. Students create characters, atmosphere, clues and red herrings. When the witness statements are read can they identify the killer?
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE
12.30 – 1.15pm LS58 1.45 – 2.30pm LS59
£8.99
The most incredibly wellrun event with literally everything a teacher or pupil could possibly need already thought through, and planned for, – not to mention the absolutely inspiring authors and activities!
Gloucestershire
teacher
Destructive Writing
£8.50 per pupil. Years 8 and 9
Explore how destruction can spark creativity in this thought-provoking writing workshop with author Luke Palmer. Through playful misdemeanours, explore the blurry line between good and bad, creating complex characters who don’t always make the best choices. This dynamic, story-scaffolding session encourages bold ideas, moral exploration and fresh approaches to prose.
Explore the power of verse in storytelling at this highly interactive event with Carnegie Medal winner Sarah Crossan Inspired by a documentary, Sarah discusses her latest novel, a missing-girl thriller set in a remote, high-security facility for ‘troubled teens’ and explains why she challenged herself to write a many-layered, fast-paced thriller in poetic verse.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12–1pm
£9.99
Writing Gothic
£8.50 per pupil.
Years 7, 8 and 9
Create your own compelling tale with award-winning author Lucy Strange in this atmospheric gothic-writing workshop. Craft evocative settings, build tension and shape characters caught between light and shadow. Through guided exercises, experiment with gothic-infused descriptions, structure and mood and leave with the tools to begin your own twisted story.
David Solomons
£7.50 per pupil. Year 7
What if good manners weren’t just polite… but the law? Enter the gripping world of The Ministry of Manners, where every word is monitored and one slip can spark rebellion. Join bestselling author David Solomons to explore how dystopian worlds are built, how language shapes power, and what happens when “good behaviour” goes too far.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS40 £7.99
Kieran Larwood
£7.50 per pupil. Year 7
Celebrate the action-packed epic rabbit realm fantasy series Podkin OneEar with author Kieran Larwood. Discover how Kieran’s worlds take shape, drawing on childhood favourites like Fighting Fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons and map out your own fantasy worlds as a springboard for story writing in this interactive session.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30 – 11.30am LS22
£7.99
£8.99
Nathanael Lessore
£7.50 per pupil. Years 7, 8 and 9
Discover how award-winning author Nathanael Lessore turns real life into powerful fiction. Drawing on books like Steady for This and Like a Brother, he explores themes of peer pressure, online culture and mental health and shares practical tips on transforming your personal experiences into stories. Hosted by Abiola Bello
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 12–1pm LS31
£8.99
Katherine Rundell
£7.50 per pupil. Year 7
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with master storyteller Katherine Rundell . Explore the world of Impossible Creatures, a perilous archipelago where mythical beings roam and their survival is under threat. Discover how Katherine builds her extraordinary fantasy worlds and be inspired to imagine your own.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10.30 – 11.30am LS03
£16.99
Sample Day Out
Attend your ticketed author event
Meet the author in the bookshop after the event, buy their books, have them signed, have photos and ask questions; our specialist childrens booksellers on hand to help with recommended reads
Lunchtime at one of our picnic areas
Explore the new drop in, relaxed TEEN space.
Visit the Listening Hut by BBC Audiobooks
Attend your ticketed workshop event
Pause at The Hush to reflect and reset before heading back to the coach.
Key Stage 3
Storytelling Sessions
Destructive Writing
Writing Gothic
Writing Gothic
Destructive Writing
Sarah Crossan
David Solomons
Katherine Rundell
Nathanael Lessore
Kieran Larwood
Key Stage 4 Years
10–11
Dean Atta
£7.50 per student. Years 10 and 11
Explore the craft of verse novels with writer and performer Dean Atta. Through writing exercises and discussions, mix storytelling with poetry to discover your unique style and bring your creative ideas to life using rhythm, imagery and voice.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE 10 – 11am LS55
£9.99
Patrick Ness and S. F. Williamson
£7.50 per student. Years 10 and 11
Dive into the vivid worlds of Patrick Ness and S. F. Williamson in a compelling conversation about creativity, courage and the stories that push boundaries. Hear how their unforgettable characters come to life, what drives their bold ideas and why writing remains a powerful tool for exploring uncertainty, hope and everything in between. Hosted by JoJo Silva.
– 1pm LS36
From £9.99 to £16.99
Make a Minifold Zine
£8.50 per student.
Years 10 and 11
Step into the cozy realm of ink-stained paper and whispered tales. Lize Meddings, the brilliant graphic novelist behind The Sad Ghost Club, guides you through a minifold zine workshop. Discover the magic of comics, explore your creativity, and perhaps even find a friendly spectral companion along the way.
Note: The Sad Ghost Club explores mental health and loneliness.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE
1.30 – 2.30pm LS19
£12.99
Meet
the Author
Come to the on-site Waterstones Children’s Bookshop after each event to meet the author. Gloucestershire Teacher
It was great to take reading and learning outside of the classroom
Sample Day Out
Arrive on site and make your way in with a warm welcome from our friendly volunteers.
Enjoy your ticketed author event.
Meet the author in the bookshop to buy books, have them signed, ask questions and take photos.
Our specialist children’s booksellers will be on hand with brilliant book recommendations.
Drop into The Snug in the Feast Cafe from 11am–1pm for a YA book swap. Bring a book and leave with something new.
Lunchtime in one of our picnic areas.
Explore the new drop in Relaxed TEEN space.
Visit the Listening Hut by BBC Audiobooks
Attend your ticketed workshop event.
See page 16 for full details on all our free activities
Key Stage 5 Years
12–13
Candice Carty-Williams
£7.50 Years 12–13
Find your perspective and tell stories that matter with novelist, columnist and screenwriter, Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie. With tips on exploring voice and creativity, Candice shares insights into her own writing process, adaptation for screen and the ideas that shape her work. Hosted by Jojo Silva
Careers Behind the Books
£8.50 Years 12–13
Poetry Salon with Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
£7.50 Years 12–13
Sample Day Out
Attend your ticketed author event.
Meet the author in the bookshop after the event, buy their books, have them signed, have photos and ask questions.
Drop into The Snug in the Feast Cafe from 11am–1pm for a YA book swap. Bring a book and leave with something new.
Lunchtime at one of our picnic areas.
Explore the new drop in, relaxed TEEN space.
The Festival will create a love for reading for anyone!
Love books? Ever wondered what it’s really like to make them? Meet three publishing insiders – poet, novelist and screenwriter Dean Atta; editor and author Amy Mae Baxter; and The Sad Ghost Club creator Lize Meddings – to discover a range of careers that bring stories to life. Explore their routes into publishing and how to turn your passion for books into a future career. Bring your questions and leave inspired. Hosted by Annalie Grainger
Explore poetry with Gayathiri Kamalakanthan in an inspiring creative session. Gayathiri will introduce their poetry, and verse novel Bad Queer, unpack their creative process from first spark to finished work and share poems exploring voice, rhythm and authentic expression. Students will discuss the work together and write their own responses to creative prompts, with inspiration drawn from contemporary queer poets. SESSION
Visit the Listening Hut by BBC Audiobooks.
Attend your ticketed workshop event.
See page 16 for full details on all our free activities
Gloucestershire Teacher
VOICEBOX is home to big ideas and bold conversations.
From your favourite writers and creators to new discoveries, hear talks on today’s hottest topics, get hands-on in drop-in workshops, laugh out loud at standup comedy and enjoy live music and performance.
Be part of the conversation as we amplify the voices that challenge, inspire and reflect the world we’re living in, creating change from the ground up.
Let your sixth form students know about this free space. Events will take place throughout the Literature Festival in the VOICEBOX tent.
Suitable for ages 16+
The line-up will be live at cheltenhamfestivals.org/VOICEBOX from September, or look out for the VOICEBOX zine. cheltenhamfestivals.org/VOICEBOX
@cheltfestivals @voicebox
With thanks to our supporters
The Scribbled Self
A guide to writing for wellbeing for young people
Curated by previous participants of our Beyond Words project, which put a writer-in-residence in the Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service
Watch out for Scribbled Self events taking place in VOICEBOX during the Festival. Learn more at cheltenhamfestivals.org/ the-scribbled-self
@cheltfestivals
@VOICEBOX ___
SEND Providers
Sensory Storytelling with Jim Beckett
£6.00 per pupil
Ticket includes a free copy of Buzz Sausage Wolf by Jim Beckett.
Discover the hilarious tales of a small sausage dog with big questions in this interactive event with author Jim Beckett With fun readings, plenty of laughter and the help from a silly puppet friend, help Jim shape a new collaborative story to turn into a brilliant, improvised ukulele song.
SESSION TIMES BOOKING CODE
12.00 – 12.30pm LS35
£7.99
Kindly supported by Jeremy Lewis, Life Patron Thursday 15 October
Complete Your Booking Here
Booking opens at 4pm on Tuesday 16 June
Sample Day Out
Arrive on site and make your way in with a warm welcome from our friendly volunteers.
Pick up a quiz sheet and explore the Little People, BIG DREAMS trail.
Enjoy your ticketed author event.
We’re committed to providing the best service possible for schools and pupils with access requirements including:
✓ Access to our Learning and Participation team for support before and during your visit
✓ Wheelchair accessible venues on site including Cheltenham Town Hall
✓ SEND specific events for special educational needs
✓ A dedicated on site Calm Space
Meet the author in the bookshop to buy books, have them signed, ask questions and take photos. Our specialist children’s booksellers will be on hand with brilliant book recommendations.
Lunchtime in one of our picnic areas – keep an eye out, the Gruffalo might stroll by!
Settle in for a free pre-booked storytelling session in the Story Shack.
Head into The Den to enjoy free activities, including creating a brand-new land at the top of The Magic Faraway Tree
Pause at The Hush to reflect and reset before heading back to the coach.
See page 2 for full details on all our free activities
Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils
✓ Over 5,000 books donated
✓ Over 3,000 teachers engaged
✓ Over 90,000 pupils inspired
We’re on a mission to inspire the next generation of readers.
If you’re a KS2 or KS3 teacher and are looking to:
• Boost reading for pleasure in your school
• Be part of a reading community
• Increase access to high quality books
• Take part in free author webinar
To join a RTRP group near you, sign up for booktalk training or find out more:
Visit: cheltenhamfestival.org/rtrp
Or contact: education@cheltenhamfestivals.org
“ It has improved the reading culture… students are reading more regularly and talking about their books.”
KS2 Teacher
RT=RP Launch
£10 Ticket includes a drink on arrival Regency Suite, Queens Hotel
An exclusive evening for teachers and librarians celebrating the launch of Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils, 2026–2027.
Meet three of this year’s featured authors and receive a set of five books for your key stage. Explore Aidan Chambers’ Tell Me pedagogy behind RT=RP, connect with colleagues, share ideas, and celebrate reading for pleasure together.
SESSION TIME BOOKING CODE 6 – 7.30pm LEY5
The Waite Family
Complete Your Booking Here
Booking opens at 4pm on Tuesday 16 June
How to Book Booking Form Links
Booking opens at 4pm on Tuesday 16 June
From 4pm you can access the booking forms where you can select your preferred choices
Prices
Events: £7.50 per pupil
Workshops: £8.50 per pupil
SEND event: £6 per pupil, includes a free copy of Buzz Sausage Wolf by Jim Beckett
Tickets for teachers and accompanying adults are free of charge according to the ratio of staff: pupil for your key stage.
Free Storytelling Session:
Available when booking an event or workshop. Spaces are limited.
Please register your interest on the booking form and we will be in touch if we can accommodate you.
A £5 booking fee for schools and £3 for Home Educators will be added to the total cost of your order.
and KS1
Home Educators
Discover the public programme Announced on Wednesday 12 August
What happens next?
1. We will review your booking form and be in touch to discuss alternative options if any of your choices are not available. Please allow five working days.
2. You will receive a formal booking confirmation via email. Due to demand please allow up to five working days for your booking confirmation.
3. Please notify us of changes to your numbers because of fluctuations in class size by Friday 4 September and we will do our best to accommodate them.
4. Your school finance office will eceive an invoice after Tuesday 8 September. It is important that this invoice is paid before you attend the Festival.
5. We will be back in touch in September with your ticket document and further information about the facilities on site.
Is the event suitable for my students?
We work with publishers to recommend key stage and age suitability, however teachers are advised to review featured books before booking to determine suitability for their class, especially around sensitive themes.
What to bring to the events?
All children should bring along notebooks and pencils to join in with the draw-alongs and other interactive activities.
Is there a lunch space?
There is a covered picnic area in the Festival Village available on a drop-in basis.
How do we get to the Festival?
The Festival is held in Montpellier Gardens, GL50 1UL near Cheltenham Town Centre.
Full details about arriving, parking, getting to venues and more, can be found on our Visit Planning page .
Are there sensory aids available?
Backpacks containing sensory aids such as ear defenders and fidget toys are available on our Festival sites. Please let us know in advance if you would like to borrow any of these for your visit by emailing education@ cheltenhamfestivals.org
Alternatively, speak to a member of the team on the day. Pupils are welcome to bring their own sensory aids to events.
We have introduced a Calm Space for 2026. This dedicated quiet space is a judgement-free zone designed to support sensory overload.
Where can I find advice for preparing a risk assessment?
All venues and events are carefully risk assessed. For advice on preparing your own risk assessment for your visit, and information about our cancellation policy, visit our website.
How do we get in touch?
Contact a member of the Learning and Participation team at education@cheltenhamfestivals.org
A big thank you
to our partners and supporters
The Waite Family
the public programme Announced on Wednesday 12 August
