The UK's Largest Children's Literature Festival Returns to Barnes 21st-22nd June 2025

Barnes becomes the children's books capital of the UK when the Barnes Children's Literature Festival returns on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June with more than 100 inspiring events, workshops and performances for young book fans and their families.

The UK's biggest selling children's writers David Walliams, Cressida Cowell, the superstar creator of the How to Train Your Dragon books and Hollywood film series, and the book rapping sensation, MC Grammar, star of Sky Kids' hit show Wonder Raps, are just a few of the big names on their way to Barnes.

They will be joined by legendary Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, million-selling former NHS doctor, Adam Kay, CBeebies star Andy 'Dinosaur' Day, the funniest author illustrator brother-sister duo Green Wing comedian Stephen and Anita Mangan, and Lydia ‘Ladybird' Monks among so many more.

You'll always find a few special treats that you're unlikely to see at festivals elsewhere and this year this includes the modern day qeen of crime, the mega-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, who will make her children's literature festival debut with her first mystery for kids, A Box Full of Murders.

Also on his way to Barnes is the internationally bestselling author, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society and TED Global speaker, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, with his truly unique introduction to the wondrous world of clouds.

There will be plenty of fun for comics fans too from the creator of the hilarious Grimwood series and the Festival's 2025 poster, Nadia Shireen, the author illustrator of the smash hit Loki series, Louie Stowell; Marvel artist, RAMZEE and the BAFTA-award winning, The Brothers McLeod.

This year's highlights include a minibeast adventure with TV wildlife presenter, Yussef Rafik, a live music production of Roald Dahl's hilarious Revolting Rhymes and family-friendly theatre performances from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Children can also get involved in creative writing, comics, art, LEGO, chess, clay-mazing workshops with Aardman Animations, and there are lots of free things to do too.

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Category: Kids / Family