Age guideline 13+

Guardian Award-winning author Alex Wheatle brings a vital part of British and Jamaican history vividly to life in his latest novel Cane Warriors, which follows the true-life slave rebellion known as Tacky’s War in 18th-century Jamaica.

Age guideline 7-11, 11-13

B.B. was inspired to write Amari and the Night Brothers, soon to be a major movie, because he couldn’t find any fantasy stories featuring black kids when he was growing up. Hear the story first from B.B. before you see the film!

In this event, Fay and Fluffy will spread their message of inclusivity, kindness and being proud of who we are as they present picture books that discuss a variety of topics, like sharing, self-esteem, loss and sadness, and expressing one’s uniqueness.

Did you know that we all have a superpower – EMPATHY?! It helps us all understand and connect to each other much better. It grows the more we practice it, so join Paul Jenkins hosting with EmpathyLab and authors Sharna Jackson and Helen Rutter to find out more about how to boost your empathy powers through reading and get creative with three fantastic activities, like wearing Empathy Glasses.

Learn to draw Manga with the team at Saturday AM comics! Saturday AM are a collection of Manga artists from all over the world, with creators ranging from Europe and Asia to Africa and the USA, all with one mission: to create characters that reflect all readers, whatever race, gender or ethnicity. You’ll have drawing tutorials from overseas artists Whyt Manga (Nigeria) and Jey Odin (USA), who’ll be teaching you how to draw a range of incredible Manga characters!

Age guideline 11-13, 13+

Calling all young scientists and engineers! Come and meet not one, but two super scientists - physicist and trailblazing campaigner for equality in science, Dr Jess Wade and scientist and TV presenter Dr Shini Somara.

Age guideline 13+

Why do some books get published and others don’t? Why do books get banned? Who decides if a book is suitable for us to read? Should young people have more power over what they read? Watch this exciting event with Lucas Maxwell, Áine ni Ghlinn, students from Glenthorne High School and Adiba Jaigirdar to find out!

Age guideline 7-11, 11-13

B.B. was inspired to write Amari and the Night Brothers, soon to be a major movie, because he couldn’t find any fantasy stories featuring black kids when he was growing up. Hear the story first from B.B. before you see the film!

Age guideline 13+

How many different ways can we tell stories? We all have a story inside of us, a unique perspective on the world and a voice worth listening to. Join Alice Oseman, Rebecca Tantony and Gordon Shaw to learn some top tips on how to tell your own story!

Age guideline 7-11

Cressida will share some of her favourite books that she was encouraged to love as a child, and some of the children from Griffin Primary School will tell you about their favourite books and what a difference their new library is making to their school!

Age guideline 7-11, 11-13

Canadian author David A. Robertson talks to Eloise Williams, Children's Laureate Wales (2019 – 2021) about his new book The Barren Grounds.

Age guideline 7-11

Join acclaimed illustrator and author Chris Riddell as he introduces us to his unique visual interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s magical story.

Age guideline 13+

Guardian Award-winning author Alex Wheatle brings a vital part of British and Jamaican history vividly to life in his latest novel Cane Warriors, which follows the true-life slave rebellion known as Tacky’s War in 18th-century Jamaica.

Age guideline 4-7, 7-11

Join in with multi-award winning children’s author and poet Joseph Coelho as he teaches us how to perform some tongue twisters from Poems Aloud and challenges you to guess the riddles he reads!

Age guideline 7-11, 11-13

The Bookshop Band write songs inspired by stories and enjoy nothing more than performing them in book stores around the country.