What's happening?

The Children's Bookshow releases 2024 Impact Report

We have released a report detailing the impact that our work had in 2024. Read on!

Considering the environmental impact of The Children’s Bookshow

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Find out more about what we're doing to reduce our environmental impact.

Michael Rosen launches our 2025 programme

Michael Rosen will be launching the autumn 2025 programme of The Children’s Bookshow and will be sharing his years of expertise on how to promote reading for pleasure in school in an engaging free live online event for teachers, librarians and education professionals.

A round-up of our theatre tour 2024

Read on for a round-up of our autumn tour, plus news of a book giveaway and video release.

Read The Children’s Bookshow 2024 Autumn Tour

Read all about our Autumn 2024 Tour and the books we featured. And why we love them!

‘An Evening In’ with Just Imagine and The Children’s Bookshow

Have you ever wondered how The Children’s Bookshow works, behind the scenes? Join us for an online event with Just Imagine and Director of The Children’s Bookshow, Kate Arafa to find out more about the work we do, why we do it, and how you can get involved!

Write a poem with Kate Wakeling

Why not try writing a poem? Kate Wakeling shows you how.

National Poetry Day 2024

Bring the joy of poetry into your life by watching Michael Rosen's Big 50 Year Show.

Come and work with The Children's Bookshow team!

The Children's Bookshow team is looking for a part-time, home-based administrator - find out more here

World Book Day success as thousands of children join our events

Find out what we got up to on World Book Day 2024

Roundup of our Autumn 2023 programme

Read a short round up of this year's brilliant autumn tour

Auction fundraising success

We raised nearly £7000 in our online auction!

Our 20th birthday exhibition

The Children’s Bookshow is celebrating its 20th birthday this year with a brand-new free exhibition

Celebrating author illustrator Jo Empson

Celebrating author illustrator Yuval Zommer

Birds and nature are our focus this week, as we find out more about author and illustrator Yuval Zommer, and his wonderful book The Big Book of Birds!

Celebrating author illustrator Jörg Mühle

Jörg Mühle from Germany is our author focus this week. Find out more about him and his brilliant books!

Celebrating author illustrator Sydney Smith

This week we're focussing on Sydney Smith and his beautiful picture book Town Is By The Sea. Find out more!

A-Z of Artists

Letter L: Lauren and Natalia O'Hara

Meet Lauren and Natalia O'Hara - the talented sisters who created the marvellous picture book, The Bandit Queen. Read on!

A-Z of Artists

Kathrin Rohmann and Apple Cake and Baklava

German author Kathrin Rohmann's book Apple Cake and Baklava is a delight. You can read an extract here, and have fun getting involved in this week's activities!

A-Z of Artists

Letter J: Jan Blake

Storyteller Jan Blake tells stories that captivate and amaze. Find out more here!

A-Z of Artists

Bruce Ingman and The Pencil

Illustrator Bruce Ingman is this week's focus in our A-Z. Find out more about Bruce, his book The Pencil, and there are fun drawing activities too!

A-Z of Artists

Hilary McKay and The Skylarks' War

Award-winning author Hilary McKay wrote the brilliant book The Skylarks' War. Find out more here.

A-Z of Artists

Gijs van der Hammen and Little Wise Wolf

This week we enjoy Dutch author Gijs van der Hammen's wonderful book, Little Wise Wolf

Digital festival creative workshops

Why not follow up our digital events with a fun creative activity? You can find videos from all our authors here.

Bookshow at Home

Bookshow at Home with Author Franck Prévot and Illustrator Aurélia Fronty

Find out about author Franck Prévot and Aurélia Fronty in this week's Bookshow at Home

Bookshow at Home

A-Z of Artists

Bookshow at Home with Elizabeth Laird

Find out about this week's author, Elizabeth Laird, and her brilliant picture book, Grobblechops!

Bookshow at Home

A-Z of Artists

Bookshow at Home with Daniel Morden

If you love stories, then you'll love Daniel Morden. Click through to find out more about this extraordinary storyteller.

Bookshow at Home

A-Z of Artists

Bookshow at Home with Catherine Johnson

Author Catherine Johnson and her book Race to the Frozen North are our focus this week. Find out more!

Bookshow at Home

A-Z of Artists

Bookshow at Home with John Burningham

This week we focus on children's literature legend, the late John Burningham and his timeless classic Mr Gumpy's Outing

Bookshow at Home

A-Z of Artists

Bookshow at Home with Marta Altés

Find out about Spanish author and illustrator Marta Altés, and her wonderful book My Grandpa

The Power of Nature

Week Three: Neal Layton

We continue our series on Nature with a focus on author and illustrator Neal Layton.

Our first digital performance!

The Children's Bookshow team were thrilled to host their first digital live performance with author and illustrator, Alexis Deacon

The Power of Nature

Week Two: Patrick Benson and Philip Gross

This week we explore one of nature's most beautiful beasts - the snow leopard - and how it is portrayed by both illustrator Patrick Benson and poet Philip Gross.

The Power of Nature

Week One: Jackie Kay

We kick off our nature series by looking at the work of Scottish poet Jackie Kay

The Joy of Poetry

Week Five: Kwame Alexander

In the last of this series, we explore the work of poet, educator and New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander.

The Joy of Poetry

Week Four: Kit Wright

Kit Wright is the author of more than 25 books for both adults and children. Here we pick out some of our favourite of his poems.

Let's Celebrate Black Lives

The Children's Bookshow, with support from The Guardian, is working on an important project to celebrate black lives. Find out more here.

The Joy of Poetry

Week Three: Grace Nichols

Discover award-winning poet Grace Nichols.

The Joy of Poetry

Week Two: Michael Rosen

Explore the poetry of Michael Rosen in our Joy of Poetry series

The Joy of Poetry

Week One: John Agard

During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. We begin with the poems of John Agard.

COMPETITION: What Makes You Smile?

Find out how to enter our What Makes You Smile? drawing competition and the chance to win some great prizes!

Books we love!

Here is a list of some of our favourite books to get children reading.

Here For Culture Funding

We are delighted to have received funding from the government's Culture Recovery Fund - find out what we're planning.

What Makes You Smile?

We have invited 10 illustrators from around the world to draw a picture of what makes them smile, and will be sharing one a day to get you smiling too!

Bookshow at Home: Summer Reading List

The last Bookshow at Home newsletter is a special edition this week, with our brilliant, vibrant recommended reads for the summer. Enjoy!

Gallery of Children's Work

Have a look at some of the work that children have been submitting to our online gallery.

Bookshow at Home

Bookshow at Home with Alexis Deacon

Write a phrase book for an alien visitor to earth, create a junk modelling spaceship or draw a picture of your favourite thing about home! This week's Book of the Week newsletter and activities all focus on the wonderful Beegu, written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon.

Bookshow at Home with Jo Empson

Jungle Jamboree by Jo Empson is our beautifully colourful and vibrant Book of the Week. Watch Jo read the story, and then join in with some drawing and activities to make you feel good.

Bookshow at Home with Jon Agee

We're taking a trip to outer space this week with author and illustrator Jon Agee, and his brilliant book Life on Mars. Find out about Jon, watch an animation of the book and then enjoy retelling the story in your own way.

Bookshow at Home with Valerie Bloom

The joyful poetry of Valerie Bloom is this week's focus for our Bookshow at Home newsletter. There are lots of poems to watch and listen to, and then fun activities to help you find your inner poet.

Bookshow at Home with Neal Layton

We're delighted to present The Tree by Neal Layton - the focus for this week's Bookshow At Home newsletter. Listen to Neal read the story and then enjoy some lovely tree-related activities.

Letters from Lockdown

We have invited our artists to write a short letter to inspire children to write their own lockdown letters. Take a look at the whole collection and find out about our competition to win great prizes!

Bookshow at Home with Satoshi Kitamura

This week's Book of the Week is the wonderfully imaginative Millie's Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura. Find out about Satoshi, and listen to the story. Get creative and make a collection of paper creatures or your own marvellous hat!

Bookshow at Home with Viviane Schwarz

Make a treasure map, write a story quest and even make a fun card game! This week's Book of the Week newsletter focuses on Viv Schwarz's book How to Find Gold.

Bookshow at Home with Rachel Rooney

A Kid in My Class is a brilliant collection of poems, and is our focus for this week's Book of the Week newsletter, along with author facts and fun activities - write a poem, or make a visualisation.

Bookshow at Home with Benji Davies

We love The Storm Whale! In this week's Bookshow At Home, watch Benji read his lovely book, then make a stormy collage or write a story about life on the island with Noi.

Covid-19/Coronavirus Update

The Children's Bookshow At Home with Catherine Rayner

Our first Bookshow At Home Book of the Week newsletter launches with the brilliant Catherine Rayner! Watch Catherine read Abigail and then get creative with some drawing and colouring activities.

Impact of Author visits to schools

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