From the author of the bestselling My Brother is a Superhero series comes Spyglass, a fast-paced, gadget-packed adventure about what happens when ordinary kids get access to very extraordinary tech.

In this event, David Solomons reveals how a group of young recruits find themselves working with a retired MI6 inventor whose creations are brilliant, unpredictable, and occasionally liable to explode at the wrong moment. Armed with cutting-edge spy gadgets and just enough training to be dangerous, they must outsmart villains who are always one step ahead.

Discover how comedy and chaos can sit side by side with real peril. How do you invent gadgets that feel clever but also hilariously flawed? How do you raise the stakes without losing the fun? And what makes a great mastermind worth defeating?

Designed for readers aged 9–13 (and anyone who has ever wanted their own secret gadget stash), this lively session blends storytelling, behind-the-scenes secrets, and the science of building the perfect spy adventure.

Expect laughs, laser pens, and at least one plan that goes spectacularly wrong before it goes right.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No… it’s KOALAS IN CAPES! Pawtonia is under threat and only YOU have the superpowers needed to save the day. Can you help Bob and Archie defeat the evil ostrich, Dr Colossus? Join author Terrie Chilvers to find out in this laugh-out-loud event introducing her new series Koalas in Capes. So grab your best superhero (or villain!) disguise and get ready for an unmissable event full of games, activities and superpowered chaos!

Join Ben Davis - award-winning author and actual postman - for a laugh-out-loud, interactive, intergalactic assembly event where he introduces pupils to the wonderfully wacky world of Postman Planet. The first in his brand-new, laugh-out-loud series illustrated by Yasmin Sheikh. Packed with silly voices, stories from Ben’s postie rounds, and plenty of audience participation, pupils will even help invent their own intergalactic villain inspired by the dastardly Space Viking Kleg. The perfect event for fans of Bunny vs Monkey!

Ideal for Key Stage 2 , this fun, high-energy session ends with a lively Q&A about reading, writing, and imagination.

An interactive event exploring how it would feel to be an alien, finding your place and fitting in while staying true to yourself.

Book reading followed by book-based activities. eg Luna's hair changes colour to match her mood. Creating hair colours to express our feelings. Communicating with others who speak a different language - trying out Luna and Twizzle's made-up sign language of Tail Talk. Making up space names for the earth's wildlife and guessing the wildlife from their space name.

What if good manners weren’t just polite… but compulsory? Step inside the world of The Ministry of Manners, a gripping dystopian adventure set in a state where behaviour is monitored, courtesy is currency, and rebellion begins with a single wrong word.

In this event, bestselling author David Solomons explores how an ordinary family becomes entangled with an all-powerful Ministry that controls everything from school lessons to national security. Discover how dystopian worlds are created, how language can be used to shape what we believe, and why stories about control and democracy resonate so strongly today. David will share insights into building tension, shaping believable authoritarian regimes, and writing characters who dare to question the rules. Designed for readers aged 9 - 13 (and curious adults), this session blends storytelling with discussion, inviting the audience to consider what happens when “good behaviour” becomes law. Expect bold ideas, strong world-building, and plenty to think about long after the event ends.

Tom will host a quiz about what happened in Cornwall during the Second World War. Drawing on intensive research he did to write his new children's book, If the Invader Comes, children will find out about the astonishing events that happened right here back then.

Visit www.tompalmer.co.uk/if to find free resources about the book and to read the first two chapters for free.

There'll be plenty of time to chat about reading for pleasure and the men's World Cup too, as Tom has done a fair few books about football.
www.tompalmer.co.uk

Join J.J. Arcanjo as he introduces the amazing world of 'Crookhaven' - the school for thieves! Step through the doors and meet the resourceful pupils, and learn about the incredible lessons which will furnish them with the skills they'll need to artfully put the wrongs of the world, right ... all through their thief's talents!

From a zebra escaping London zoo to East End kids forming a civil defence to the first ever radio quiz - all these and more inspired Judith to write her latest book The Blitz Sisters. Come along and find out about Judith's writing journey, and how making friends with history is a must for budding writers. This fun, interactive event is for 9-12 year olds.

Guy's session is a fast-paced, energetic hour of stand-up and stories, designed to generate excitement about books, build confidence in reading and writing and spread a lot of laughter. Guy's performance explores his childhood aspirations and inspirations, and includes animated readings from his books plus anecdotes, poetry and pictures.

Ever wondered what would happen if you could capture your dreams and store them in a library? What if nightmares could be bottled and used against you?

Join children's author and doctor Nazima Pathan as she takes you inside the world of Dream Hunters, a magical adventure set in a reimagined India where dreams are hunted, traded and fiercely protected.

Find out how a children's doctor who spends her days in hospitals came to write a story about a girl called Mimi Malou and her dream creature, Lalu, and discover why the boundary between science and storytelling is thinner than you think.

Then put your imagination to work as we create a brand new magical adventure together, inventing dream creatures, designing dastardly nightmares and building a story from scratch.
Come ready to dream!