Children's Book Festival at Knole

Welcome to the first ever Knole Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017. Stories will come to life across the weekend, as some of your best-loved children’s authors and illustrators host workshops, readings and book signings. Here you can see the full programme of events, find your favourite author and book tickets. Each workshop is £5 per person. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Chris Riddell / Sat 25 March, 9.15am

This is your chance to meet Chris Riddell, the UK Children’s Laureate, and ask him anything. Come along with your questions and Chris will pick his favourites to illustrate, giving you an insight into the laureate world. The lucky ones he picks can take their doodle-answers home with them, a unique piece of art from one of our greatest illustrators. AGES: 7+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

M.G Leonard / Sat 25 March, 10.00am

Did you know the rhinoceros beetle can lift over 800 times its own body weight? And that the bombardier beetle can shoot acid out of its own bottom? Find out about these awesome beetles and more in a bug-tastic event with M.G. Leonard, author of the bestselling Beetle Boy and sequel Beetle Queen. It promises to be packed with fun, facts and – of course – beetles! AGES: 8+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Rachel Bright / Sat 25 March, 10.00am

You may recognise author and artist Rachel Bright not only for her funny, heart-warming picture books, but also her multi-million-selling gift range, The Brightside. Rachel will chat to children about her books The Lion Inside, The Koala Who Could and Love You Hoo, do some storytelling, and teach the children how to draw characters! AGES: 3+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017

Cressida Cowell / Sat 25 March, 10.30am

Join the bestselling author and illustrator of the wildly popular series, How to Train Your Dragon (also a blockbuster film series and Netflix TV show), as she talks about the LAST book in the series, How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury – can Hiccup save the dragons? Get top tips on becoming an author or illustrator and listen to how the books became films. AGES: 8+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Jo Empson / Sat 25 March, 11.30am

Join Jo Empson for a fascinating insight into the world of a picture book illustrator. Jo will take the audience on a creative journey to show them how to make a book. From sketch books full of ideas, to miniature mock up books and finally the finished work. Be swept away with interactive storytelling of her latest books (Little Home Bird and Chimpanzees for Tea) with puppets, dressing up, lots of audience participation and a big draw-along! AGES: 3+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Tracey Corderoy / Sat 25 March, 11.30am

Notorious robber dogs Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam have swapped their life of crime for a career in cupcakes. But adventure – and crime! – is never far behind, with a thieving penguin on the loose. Award winning author Tracey Corderoy will entertain with the most recent – and delicious - smash-hit as well as her other brilliant books. AGES: 5+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Rachel Bright workshop / Sat 25 March, 1.30pm

In this workshop, artist Rachel Bright will encourage kids to get creative by demonstrating some of her techniques and giving top writing and drawing tips from her books, The Lion Inside, Love You Hoo and The Koala Who Could. Bring along your own creative masterpieces for Rachel to have a look at and offer advice! AGES: 4+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Tony De Saulles / Sat 25 March, 1.30pm

Brace yourself for HORRIBLE SCIENCE’s illustrator Tony De Saulles who will bring science to life in all its gloopy glory with live drawing, jokes and foul facts. A fun-packed workshop leaving you with a handful of your own mini-masterpieces and a headful of ideas for what to draw next. It’s science with all the squishy bits left in! AGES: 8+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Elissa Elwick & Philip Ardagh / Sat 25 March, 3.00pm

Join bestselling author Philip Ardagh and rising author-illustrating star Elissa Elwick in their brand new Little Adventures story: Leafy the pet Leafy. Follow Foss, Finnegan, Peanut, and Sprat as they find out about pets, plants, and nature. An exciting and interactive event, with animal puppets, storytelling, and a chance to join Elissa in making a brand new Little Adventurer. AGES: 4+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Andy Riley / Sat 25 March, 3.00pm

Join Emmy winning writer Andy Riley for an event filled with evil laughs, striding music, and royally good drawing. Don your crowns to discover the key elements of King Flashypants – intriguing settings complete with ‘weird meadows’, a brave but chocolate-obsessed child hero, and a villain who comes equipped with his very own marching band. You can also challenge author and illustrator Andy Riley to draw anything! AGES: 7+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Lauren Child / Sun 26 March, 9.15am

Lauren Child talks about Ruby Redfort, the super-cool teen spy, and about the sixth and final book in her bestselling series - Blink and You Die. Learn about Ruby’s amazing gadgets, her side-kick Hitch and best friend Clancy as well as some of Lauren's inspirations from film and TV. AGES: 9+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Kipper storytelling / Sun 26 March, 10.00am

Kipper the dog is an award-winning, bestselling character who’s appeared not only in Mick Inkpen’s bestselling books, but in a BAFTA-winning TV programme. Join us for a storytelling and games session with a professional actress, and even get a chance to meet Kipper himself! AGES: 3+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Philip Ardagh / Sun 26 March, 10.00am

Join Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh. He is the author of The Grunts and soon to be launched The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge: A Medieval Knight in Training. Philip Ardagh is two metres tall with a ridiculously big, bushy beard and size sixteen feet, making him an instantly recognisable figure at literary festivals around the world. AGES: 7+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Alex T. Smith / Sun 26 March, 10.45am

Join bestselling author-illustrator, Alex T Smith, as he introduces you to Claude – a small, plump dog who wears a beret and a lovely jumper, and his irrepressible sidekick, Sir Bobblysock. Learn top secret illustrator tips, including how to draw the lovable Claude himself. Get the scoop on Claude’s newest fun – his adventures on the Disney channel, starting in 2017! AGES: 6+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Alexis Deacon picture books / Sun 26 March, 11.30am

Join award-winning picture book author-illustrator Alexis Deacon, as he tells the tale of a little finch who wants more from his world. Hilarious and thought-provoking, join Alexis as we journey through the making of I Am Henry Finch and his other brilliant picture books. AGES: 4+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Rob Biddulph / Sun 26 March, 11.30am

Rob is a bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator whose first picture book, Blown Away, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Hear about Rob’s endearing characters Penguin Blue and the Odd Dog Out and see him bring them to life. AGES: 3+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Christopher Lloyd / Sun 26 March, 1.30pm

Christopher Lloyd will be taking his audience on a rollercoaster ride through British history — from the dinosaurs to the present day! His talk will include a giant 8m-long version of his British History Wallbook Timeline, developed in collaboration with the National Trust, and a brand new coat of many pockets. Each pocket will contain an object linked to 10 of the most amazing moments in history! AGES: 8+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Charlie and Lola storytelling / Sun 26 March, 1.30pm

Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola are the UK’s favourite siblings! Come along and hear a professional entertainer leading fun activities, games and storytelling, and hear from the latest book, Charlie and Lola: One Thing. Along with a book signing at the end with the brilliant author-illustrator herself – Lauren Child! AGES: 3+

Sold out

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Alexis Deacon graphic novels / Sun 26 March, 3.00pm

Join Alexis Deacon as he talks about his beautifully illustrated graphic novel Geis. A superb genre-spanning mix of supernatural, historical fantasy, action, and folk-tale, this gripping book is the first in an epic trilogy from this award winning author-illustrator. Spellbinding, philosophical and exquisitely illustrated, this is a story about strength, power and the true nature of the world. AGES: 10+

Book tickets

Knole will host the Children’s Book Festival on 25-26 March 2017.

Jess French / Sun 26 March, 3.00pm

Get ready for a minibeast-hunting adventure with zoologist and TV presenter Jess French! Find out how caterpillars change into beautiful butterflies, explore the world of woodlice and count the legs on a millipede. Magnifying glasses at the ready! 4+

Sold out

Post your pics on Facebook #kidsbookfest

Follow Knole on Twitter

Get us trending on Twitter #kidsbookfest

Share your snaps on Instagram #kidsbookfest