GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL AND WATTS GALLERY LAUNCH THE CHILDREN’S SUMMER BOOK FESTIVAL
Guildford Book Festival and Watts Gallery have announced details of the line-up for their first Children’s Summer Book Festival, taking place at Watts Gallery between 23 and 29 August 2026.
Guildford Book Festival and Watts Gallery today announce details of the line-up for their first Children’s Summer Book Festival, taking place at Watts Gallery between 23 and 29 August 2026
With a fun-filled programme of inspiring author and illustrator events, from magical hands-on experiments and interactive storytelling to lively performances, creative workshops and more, the Festival is being introduced for children and families to discover new books, spark imaginations, and celebrate the joy of reading together.
Highlights include special sessions for wizards-in-training with First Class Wizard and bestselling author A.J. Wood, creator of the acclaimed Ologies series; an enchanting butterfly workshop with renowned author and illustrator Jonny Lambert, and an interactive drawing session with award-winning author-illustrator Emma Dodd, creator of the much-loved Love You series.
Plus a bouncy hour of giggles, riddles, songs and rhymes with madcap musician and children’s writer James Carter and a sea shanty sing‑along, penguin draw‑along and chance to learn the hornpipe with hugely popular Alex Milway.
Yuval Zommer will share amazing bug facts and tips on how to become a young bug spotter, and Adam Stower will reveal how he created his new picture book Little Acorn.
Children – and accompanying grown-ups who wanted to be astronauts when they grew up – will enjoy an interactive session with Catherine Cawthorne, author of We’re Moving To The Moon.
At the heart of the Festival stands a magnificent giant bell tent, transformed into a magical children’s marquee and located on the Gallery Lawn – where there’ll also be games to play and a Pop-Up selling drinks and ice creams.
The nearby Verey Playwood provides families with plenty of space to explore and play, and the Watts Café and Shop will be open for lunches, afternoon tea, gifts and souvenirs.
Alex Andrews, Director, Guildford Book Festival, said, “We’re thrilled to be launching our first Children’s Book Festival with Watts Gallery. Children’s events are always hugely popular at our annual Festival, and we also deliver a programme of author and illustrator talks for local schools throughout the year – this year reaching over 5,000 students across the Borough’s schools.”
A Children’s Book Festival was a natural next step and Watts Gallery the ideal home! On behalf of us both, we want to thank our sponsor, The Old Dungate Press, and also Magic Cat Publishing for supporting this event.”
Charlie Betts, Curator of the Family Programme at Watts Gallery, said: “Watts Gallery is a wonderful place for families, with a wealth of creative activities along with beautiful gardens and woodland to discover and explore. We’re delighted to add to this the Children’s Book Festival, in partnership with Guildford Book Festival, and are looking forward to a summer of creative fun!”
The Children’s Book Festival takes place at Watts Gallery between 23 and 29 August 2026. Tickets are on sale now.
To book: wattsgallery.org.uk/events/childrens-summer-book-festival
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