2023
Cressida Cowell
Which Way to Anywhere
New Wimbledon Theatre
Schools – Years 5-6
10:30am-12:00pm
Former Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell returns to Wimbledon BookFest with her daring new adventure.
The creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once will discuss her thrilling new series about a group of children who find the crossing points to other dimensions – with live drawing!
Discover a family with a magical secret: a child with a powerful gift and a story that is out of this world….
This event incorporates the Junior Young Writers’ Competition Prize-giving ceremony.
Stephen Mulhern
Max Magic
New Wimbledon Theatre
Schools – Years 3-4
1:30-2:30pm
The Max Magic series comes to life with this event with its author: magician and TV star Stephen Mulhern. Expect readings, stories from his life and amazing magic tricks.
Inspired by Stephen’s own journey to fame, the latest book in the Max Magic series is an unforgettable adventure celebrating friendship, family and magic!
David Walliams
The Blunders
New Wimbledon Theatre
Schools – Years 3,4 & 5
10:30-11:30am
Prepare for a supercharged, one-hour spectacular with one of Britain’s favourite storytellers which will include hilarious performative readings and a chance to get YOUR pupils’ questions answered live on stage.
David Walliams comes to BookFest with his new hugely entertaining adventure that combines timeless, nonstop comedy, the wild inventiveness of comics, a crumbling old house and a madcap family full of heart, humour and hare-brained ideas, this event will delight students and teachers alike.
J T Williams
Portraits and Poison
Wimbledon High School Auditorium
Schools – Years 5-6
10:30am-11:30am
Daring Black-British History set in Georgian London with Lizzie and Belle author J.T. Williams
Step into the eighteenth-century with award-winning author J.T. Williams, as she introduces her thrilling middle-grade series The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award.
Olaf Falafel
Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 3-4
1:30-2:30pm
Join sell-out comedian, art columnist, author, and illustrator Olaf Falafel as he introduces children to his Trixie Pickle series: a laugh-out-loud illustrated adventure featuring Trixie Pickle, the Banksy of her school. Watch Olaf live-draw and join in with an arty activity yourself, while learning about some famous artists from throughout history.
Nikita Gill
Animal Tales from India
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 1-2
10:30-11:30am
Journey back in time with author and poet Nikita Gill for an incredible event and discover the ancient Indian animal fables of the Panchatantra, which have been told and retold for thousands of years!
You’ll meet mighty elephants and courageous mice, cunning crocodiles and clever monkeys, talkative tortoises and little lapwing birds – and each one imparts a different message that can inspire you in different ways!
Celebrating friendship, cleverness, love and wisdom, this is not an event to be missed!
S F Said
Tyger
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 5,6 & 7
1:30-2:30pm
Multi award-winning storyteller SF Said, author of Varjak Paw, joins us with his latest roaring success, a spectacular and uplifting modern tale.
One of the Guardian’s Best Books of 2022 and voted Foyles Children’s Book of the Year, Tyger is the compelling tale of an alternative world on the brink of destruction and the magical animal discovered in a London rubbish dump that might just be able to save it.
This is a story of magic, epic stakes and the power of hope. It evokes the incredible worlds of His Dark Materials, Narnia and Earthsea – the kind of book a generation of young readers will never forget.
Sathnam Sanghera
Stolen History
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 5-6
10:30-11:30am
Empireland author Sathnam Sanghera joins us with his entertaining yet informative introduction to the British Empire for schools.
This event will explore how Britain’s empire once made it the most powerful nation on earth, and how it still affects our lives in many ways today – from the words we use, to the food we eat and the sports we play.
Because how can we ever make the world a kinder, better place for the future, if we don’t know the truth about the past?
Katherine Rundell
Impossible Creatures
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 5-6
1:30-2:30pm
Author of Rooftoppers and The Explorer (among others), Katherine Rundell has sold over 2 million copies of her books internationally and has won many awards including the Blue Peter Book Award.
This new immersive fantasy has it all – epic adventure, rich and detailed word building, characters who take you with them and an ending you won’t see coming.
This is spellbinding and highly anticipated new novel is the first in a landmark trilogy from a well-respected, distinctive and imaginative author.
Kate Wakeling
A Dinosaur at the Bus Stop
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – Years 1-2
10:30am-11:30am
Join award winning poet Kate Wakeling for a joyful, interactive performance of her beautifully crafted new poetry collection.
Hear (probably) the fastest poem in the world, solve some brain tickling minibeast riddles, bob like a robin and get ready to hop aboard the friendliest steam train in town.
Bursting with fun and imagination, this playful session will have lots of opportunities for students to join in, get creative and feel inspired.
George the Poet
Part of a Story that Started Before Me
Wimbledon High School – Auditorium
Schools – All Secondary
1:30-3:00pm
This exciting new anthology sees award-winning spoken word artist and social commentator George the Poet bring together an incredible roster of Black British poets, from established artists to emerging talents. The poems featured in this collection explore people, moments and events from Black British history, from Roman times to today. This author event will incorporate the Senior Young Writers’ Competition Prize-giving ceremony.
Poetry includes: Benjamin Zephaniah, Sophia Thakur, Grace Nichols, Derek Walcott, Malika Booker, Bridget Minamore, John Agard, Joseph Coelho, Keith Jarrett, Patience Agbabi, Raymond Antrobus and Jude Yawson.
