EVENTS DIARY
SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Meet Katherine Rundell
2:30–3:30pm | Bath Forum | £10* standard/£17.50 inc. book | 8+ | BFA1
Return to the Archipelago with superstar author, Katherine Rundell as she introduces the dazzling second book, The Poisoned King in the bestselling Impossible Creatures series.
FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Party at the Museum! Up Late at The Holburne
5–9pm | The Holburne Museum | Free | Family
Come along to celebrate the start of the festival. Meet your favourite book characters, join art classes, visit the Unicorn Academy Nail Bar and have Pokemon fun!
SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
Meet Cressida Cowell
10–11am | Bath Forum | £10* | 7+ | BFB1
Celebrate the new How To Train Your Dragon School book and get an EXCLUSIVE pre-publication peek of the last instalment of the Which Way series.
Join The Unicorn Academy
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £7.50* | 5+ | BFB2
Join Julie Sykes for magical Unicorn Academy fun. Hear behind-the-scenes stories and unlock your destiny as an honorary Unicorn Academy member.
Meet Esme Higgs
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFB3
Follow the adventures of Esme Higgs, from country girl to internet sensation and author of the Starlight Stables Gang series.
Gruffalo Storytime
10–10:45am | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 4+ | BFB4
Come along to this fun-packed event for our youngest bookworms with storytelling and activities and an appearance from The Gruffalo himself!
Creative Writing Masterclass with Jasbinder Bilan
10:30am–12pm | The Forum Ballroom | £20* | 9+ | BFB5
Join Costa Book Award-winner Jasbinder Bilan for a fun, interactive masterclass on building stories, creating vibrant characters, and sparking your imagination through creative writing.
Blast off with the
11–11:45am | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 7+ | BFB6
Join Steve Cole for a buzzy and action-packed session celebrating the launch of Astrosaurs Mission to Infinity, the all-new graphic novel.
12 & 2:30pm | Waterstones | Free | Family | BFB7
Be introduced to Badger’s Book with fun activities and storytime drop-ins to discover these wonderful stories and pick up some top tips on how to draw.
Meet Percy the Park Keeper
12–12:45pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 4+ | BFB8
Join Nick Butterworth, creator of Percy the Park Keeper as he shares stories from this series and introduces his new picture book, Once Upon a Journey.
Meet the Unfairies with Huw Aaron
12–12:45pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFB9
Join graphic novelist Huw Aaron for a hilarious adventure through the fairy kingdom of Oakhold and pick up some tips on creating your own graphic novel.
Comic Adventures with Tom McLaughlin
1–1:45pm | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 7+ | BFB10
Join Tom McLaughlin to meet Alan, a cat with opposable thumbs and big plans! Enjoy laughs, creative tips, and draw-along fun in this comic-filled session.
Waterstones Illustrator in Residence: Paddy Donnelly Remarkable Bugs with Jess French
12:30–1:15pm | The Mission Theatre | £8.50* | 7+ | BFB11
Join Jess French and some of her insect friends as she introduces you to the remarkable world of bugs.
Graphic Novel Masterclass with Tor Freeman
Unleash your creativity with Tor Freeman for a fun masterclass exploring Boss of the Underworld. Enjoy a draw-along and create your own comic stories.
Draw with Rob
2–2:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | Family | BFB13
We welcome back illustrator/author Rob Biddulph for a fun family event and his famous #DrawWithRob draw-along! Paper and pencils at the ready. . .
The World of Frankenstein with Lucy Strange
2–2:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFB14
1:30–3pm | The Forum Ballroom | £20* | 8+ | BFB12 3–3:45pm | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 3+ | BFB15
Come along to hear how Lucy Strange abridged this classic story for a new generation of middle grade readers. Bringing to life the world of Victor Frankenstein.
Nursery Rhymetime
Enjoy this storytelling session especially for our youngest bookworms. Celebrating nursery rhymes and Camilla Reid’s beautiful board books created for pre-schoolers.
Bear on a Chair with Ross Collins
2:30–3:15pm | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 4+ | BFB16
Celebrate 10 years of There’s A Bear on My Chair with Ross Collins - live drawing, interactive fun, and hilarious antics with Bear and Mouse!
Marvellous Messages with Rose Ayling-Ellis
4–4:45pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFB17
Rose Ayling-Ellis will share her inspirational heroes and talk about her career - from her early love of acting, to being the first deaf presenter of the Paralympics.
Return to Wonderland with Anna James
4–4:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 7+ | BFB18
Anna James celebrates Alice With a Why and Wonderland’s 160th anniversary with quizzes, story writing, and nonsense games.
Illustration Masterclass with Beth Suzanna
4:30–6pm | The Forum Ballroom | £20* | 8+ | BFB19
Illustrator Beth Suzanna will be leading this storytelling and crafting adventure. Learn something new and how to illustrate the wonders of the natural world.
Why Wombats have Square Poos & Other Questions with Molly Oldfield
5–5:45pm | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 4+ | BFB20
Join QI Elf Molly Oldfield for a fun, fact-filled event answering curious questions from Everything Under The Sun: All Around The World - wombat poo included!
Discover Skandar with A.F. Steadman
6–6:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFB21
Come and hear about the explosive conclusion to the Skandar seriesSkandar and the Spirit War - featuring unicorns, adventure, and epic battles.
SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
Pip and Posy Storytime
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £7.50* | 4+ | BFC1
Join Pip the rabbit and Posy the mouse for fun activities, storytelling, and a special appearance - perfect entertainment for toddlers and parents alike.
My Brother is a Superhero with David Solomons
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFC2
Come and meet David Solomons to celebrate My Brother is a Superhero. Featuring adventure, humour and enough superhero capers to keep any young Marvel fan entertained.
Are you Team Squirrel or Team Duck?
11–11:45am | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 6+ | BFC3
Meet Talking Squirrel and Duck at Tom Percival’s wild, interactive event with games, drawing, music, beatboxing, races and fun. Are you Team Squirrel or Team Duck?
Dungeons & Dragons Masterclass
11:30–1:30pm | The Holburne Museum | £20* | 8+ | BFC4
Dungeon Master, Peter Corse is here to introduce you to the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Everything you need to play and take on your first adventure.
Waterstones Illustrator in Residence: Angie Morgan
12 & 2:30pm | Waterstones | FREE | Family | BFC5
Drop in for free activities and the chance to meet Angie Morgan and hear about her brilliantly funny picture books, I Really, Really Don’t Like Parties and It’s Really, Really Not Fair!
Ready, Steady, Sloth! with Justin Anderson
12-12.45pm I Guildhall I £7.50* I 5+ I BFC6
Join nature writer Justin Anderson on a rainforest adventure and discover the secret life of everyone’s favourite slowcoach.
Noisy Farm Storytime: Meet the Animals
12–4pm, storytime & tours at 12pm and 2pm | Bath City Farm | Free (ticketed) | Family | BFC7
Meet the animals at this special Noisy Farm story time and tour of Bath City Farm Fun for all the family, with the chance to hand feed some of the animals.
Meet Big Manny
12–12:45pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFC8
Alright BOOM, TikTok star Big Manny returns with live experiments and his new book on sound, circuits and magnetism.
Adventuremice! with Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
1–1:45pm | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 5+ | BFC9
Meet Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre creators of Adventuremice. Hear a story, learn to draw, and create a new tale together in this fun, interactive family event.
Meet Pamela Butchart
2–2:45pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFC10
Join Pamela Butchart for laughs, crisps, a bit of mystery and silly stories about money in this special event about two great new books!
Battle of the Heroes with Sam Copeland
2–2:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 8+ | BFC11
Bestselling author Sam Copeland shares his ‘fish-out-of-water’ fantasy adventure series Alex vs Axel with its important message about bravery.
Dungeons & Dragons Masterclass
2:30–4:30pm | The Holburne Museum | £20* | 10+ | BFC4
Dungeon Master, Peter Corse is here to introduce you to the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Everything you need to play and take on your first adventure.
Meet Hannah Gold
4–4:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 8+ | BFC12
Join Hannah Gold for a fun, interactive adventure celebrating Turtle Moon with turtle facts, rainforest stories, quizzes, and a preview of her new book The Lone Husky.
Meet Ross Montgomery
4–4:45pm | Guildall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFC13
Join award-winning author Ross Montgomery as he shares I Am Rebel, Small Wonder, writing tips, and how to give your pets unforgettable voices and personalities.
MONDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
Sin Bin Island with Doug Naylor
5–5:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFD3
Detention Just Got Dangerous! Red Dwarf co-creator Doug Naylor introduces his thrilling debut novel about the legendary (and eerie) Sin Bin Island!
WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER
Do You Believe in Ghosts? with Danny Robins
5–6pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 9+ | BFF3
Join award-winning writer Danny Robins as he presents his spooky children’s book Do You Believe in Ghosts? - fun, eerie tales for curious young readers.
Feminist History For Every Day of The Year with Kate Mosse
7–8pm | Guildhall | £14/£10* conc. | YA+Adult | BFF4
Join bestselling author and feminist champion Kate Mosse as she tells the story of women’s and girls’ history, sweeping across the world and through the ages.
THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER
Writing For Young People Masterclass
11am–1pm | The Mission Theatre | £30* | Adult | BFG3
Lecturers Lucy Cuthew and Annalie Granger offer practical advice, inspiration, writing exercises, and discussion to spark fresh ideas for your own children’s book writing.
Bath Spa University Presents…
6:30–8:30pm | Waterstones | £8.50* | YA+Adult | BFG4
An inspiring two-part event with Bath Spa graduates featuring publication journeys, discussions, and readings from emerging children’s authors.
SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER
Mystery and Murder with Robin Stevens
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFJ1
Bestselling Robin Stevens is your brilliant host, celebrating the third Ministry of Unladylike Activity book with mystery tips, code-cracking, and writing secrets.
Explore Happy Hills with Sophy Henn
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £7.50* | 6+ | BFJ2
Join award-winning Sophy Henn to explore Happy Hills, learn character creation, and draw your own comic book resident for a fun, interactive comic strip session!
Creative Writing Masterclass with Fleur Hitchcock
10:30am–12pm | The Forum Ballroom | £20* | 9+ | BFJ3
Discover how inspiration can come from the everyday, how ordinary lives can become extraordinary, and how to weave it all into your own stories.
Adventures with Nibbles. . . and Emma Yarlett
11–11:45am | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 4+ | BFJ4
Have a monster of a good time with Emma Yarlett and Nibbles’ adventures. There will be story time, and a fun drawing activity to create your own little book monster.
Phoenix Comic Books presents… James Turner
10:30–11:15am | The Mission Theatre | £8.50* | 7+ | BFJ5
Join award-winning Star Cat creator James Turner to design wild alien characters and craft a hilarious space comic - learn comics secrets and have loads of fun!
Meet Frank Cottrell-Boyce
12:30–1:15pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFJ6
Head to Tinseltown with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Hollywood hijinks and get writing tips guaranteed in this fun-filled event.
Waterstones Illustrator in Residence: Conor Busuttil
12 & 2:30pm | Waterstones | Free | Family | BFJ7
Drop in to the bookshop on Milsom Street and meet illustrator Conor Busuttil for some story and drawing fun. Enjoy some top tips on how to draw.
Get Ready to Rap with MC Grammar
12:30–1:15pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 8+ | BFJ8
Book-rapping sensation MC Grammar brings us The Adventures of Rap Kid packed with jokes, beats, rap battles and dance-offs.
Marty Moose with Claire Powell
1–1:45pm | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 6+ | BFJ9
Bestselling author-illustrator Claire Powell introduces Postmouse, Marty Moose and Little Ditch, and even shows you how to draw Marty Moose yourself! Fun guaranteed.
Phoenix Comic Books presents… Laura Ellen Anderson
12:30–1:15pm | The Mission Theatre | £8.50* | 7+ | BFJ10
Draw-along with Laura Ellen Anderson for a fun comic event! Discover Evil Emperor Penguin and help create a brand-new villain.
Meet Liz Pichon
1:30–2:30pm | Bath Forum | £10* | 7+ | BFJ11
Join Liz Pichon for fun, music, games, and doodling as she launches When Berry Met Terry and Tom Gates: Pesky Pets and Parties!
Creative Writing Masterclass with Christopher Edge
1:30–3pm | The Forum Ballroom | £20* | 9+ | BFJ12
Christopher Edge’s spooky story masterclass will help young writers conquer the blank page and craft chilling tales inspired by his new book Fear Files: Hide and Seek.
Meet Harriet Muncaster
2:30–3:15pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 5+ | BFJ13
Join author Harriet Muncaster for magical readings, draw-alongs, and an exciting preview of Isadora Moon and the Pop Stars, and her new series The Diary of Wiska Wildflower
Meet Kiran Millwood Hargrave
2:30–3:15pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 9+ | BFJ14
Celebrate with bestselling Kiran Millwood Hargrave as she takes us on a journey through her magical Geomancer trilogy. Be inspired to create your own stories about nature and wonder.
The Lion Inside Anniversary Storytelling
3–3:45pm | Bath Central Library | £7.50* | 4+ | BFJ15
Come and hear storyteller Liz Fost at this fun-filled event, complete with puppets, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rachel Bright’s beloved book The Lion Inside.
Phoenix Comic Books presents… Neill Cameron
2:30–3:15pm | The Mission Theatre | £8.50* | 7+ | BFJ16
Ever wondered what donuts do when uneaten? They plot world domination! Meet Sprinkles and the Donut Squad - just don’t mention their bagel arch-nemeses.
Welcome to Grimwood with Nadia Shireen
5–5:45pm | Guildhall | £8.50* | 7+ | BFJ17
Have fun with Nadia Shireen drawing in Grimwood’s wild world. Learn about her inspiration and create characters from Grimwood: Rock the Vote!
The Spectacular Phoenix Show
5–6pm | The Mission Theatre | £9.50* | 7+ | BFJ18
It’s a festival draw-off! Led by talented trio Neill Cameron, Laura Ellen Anderson and James Turner this will be an epic, interactive Phoenix Comic Book session.
SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER
Animal Adventures with Rachel Bright and Jim Field
10–10:45am | Guildhall | £8.50* | 3+ | BFK1
Join Rachel Bright and Jim Field to celebrate The Lion Inside’s 10th anniversary with live draw ing, reading, and sneak peeks from their new book, The Turtle who Turned the Tide.
Dare to enter Grumpfort?
10:30–11:15am | Guildhall | £7.50* | 8+ | BFK2
Let Jamie Hammond tell you Mo’s story, the worst monster hunter. Then create your own terrifying monster in this fun event.
Drawing Fun with Matty Long
10:30–11:15am | The Mission Theatre | £7.50* | 6+ | BFK3
Join Matty Long for interactive readings, drawing sessions, and creative fun with Croaky and Super Happy Magic Forest! Design characters and explore imaginative adventures!
Waterstones Illustrator in Residence: Petr Horáček
12 & 2:30pm | Waterstones | Free | Family | BFK4
Drop in to the bookshop on Milsom Street and meet author and illustrator Petr Horáček for some story and drawing fun. Enjoy some top tips on how to draw.
Bluey Storytime
12–12:30pm & 1:30–2pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 3+ | BFK5
Enjoy this special storytime session for Bluey’s young fans with storyteller Liz Fost and a special appearance by Bluey herself! Her latest adventures await…
Nina Peanut and Friends
11:30–12:15pm | The Holburne Museum | £7.50* | 7+ | BFK6
Create a cartoon character with Sarah Bowie, author of the Nina Peanut stories about the girl who has wacky adventures with the world’s stinkiest cat that go viral!
Whistledown Farm with Nicola Baker
12:30–1:15pm | Guildhall | £7.50* | 7+ | BFK7
Join Nicola Baker on a Whistledown Farm adventure - meet animals, hear stories, and explore how farm life inspires writing. Perfect for curious kids.
