Children’s BookFest

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Children’s BookFest

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A children's book festival in Chichester
Schools with visiting authors and a book for each child

20/07/2026

Calling all young writers aged 11–17! ✍️ 📚

BookFest YA’s First Chapter Writing Competition is now open. Send us the opening chapter of your novel, any genre goes! Judged by YA author Nicola Garrard, with a book voucher up for grabs at a special award ceremony.

•Free to enter
•Max 500 words
•Deadline: 31 July
•Adapted entries welcome from SEND young people

Don’t forget to include your name, year group and school (or a parent/carer contact if home-educated).

Scan the QR code in the post to find out how to take part. Good luck!

21/05/2026

Books Inspire, May.

This month we asked Gary Shipton about the books that inspired him as a child.

Gary is High Sheriff of West Sussex, a Deputy Lieutenant, and the Editor at Large of Iconic Media’s Sussex newspapers and websites, including the Chichester Observer and West Sussex Gazette.

“As a child of perhaps six or seven years old, I was incapable of reading any book for more than a page or two. Noting my mother’s despair, a friend of hers gave me a hardbound yellow jacketed copy of Enid Blyton’s Shadow the Sheepdog - which tells of the extraordinary bond between a loyal working sheepdog Shadow and his young owner Johnny. I read all 256 pages in a weekend before moving on to the entire Blyton collection of mystery and adventure stories. Agatha Christie followed. Since then, I have enjoyed many more ‘worthy’ books but it was Shadow that ignited my life-long love of reading, writing (and dogs!).”

18/05/2026

We have some VERY exciting news… 🎉
Children’s BookFest has been chosen as the Mayor of Chichester’s Charity for 2026/2027!
Announced at a fantastic evening at Chichester Cathedral with the brilliant Kevin McCloud, this is a huge moment for us, and for every child in our community who deserves access to books, stories and the joy of reading.
Watch this space. Big, exciting things are coming. 📚 ✨

08/05/2026

Less than a week to go and we cannot wait!
Kevin McCloud is back by popular demand and this time he’s bringing stories from across his whole career. Grand Designs, historic buildings, classic cars, new podcasts… expect an evening of humour, curiosity and a few surprises. Oh, and books. Obviously books.

This is a fundraising evening for Children’s BookFest, every penny goes towards buying books for local children. Last year CBF put over 8,000 books into the hands of West Sussex children. This year we’re aiming for more.

📅 Thursday 14th May, 7.30pm
🎟️ £16.17 inc. booking fee
👉 www.ticketsource.com/childrens-book-fest-chichester
Grab your tickets and we’ll see you there!

05/05/2026

Lovingly placing a Children's BookFest bookplate in every book purchased with the money raised in our picture books for foodbanks Christmas campaign. Trustee Jen wishes she could work this fast in real time!
Thank you to everyone who donated and once again, huge thanks to Simon Philip and Lucia Gaggiotti for their support! These books will be taken to the five local foodbanks we support for a child to choose, take home and treasure!

23/04/2026

Happy World Book Night! 🌙✨

We love being part of a community full of book lovers. However you’re marking the from 7–8pm, curled up with a book, listening to one, or sharing a story with someone you love, it all counts.

Tell us how you’re celebrating in the comments!

22/04/2026

Back by popular demand as part of the National Year of Reading!

Spend an evening with Kevin McCloud as he shares the stories behind the projects, people and passions that have defined his career.
From Grand Designs to new podcasts, historic buildings and even classic cars, expect a mix of humour, curiosity and surprising tales - plus a few favourite books along the way.

This is a fundraising event for the Children's BookFest charity (CBF), with all proceeds going straight to buy books for local children.

Last year CBF bought over 8000 books for children in West Sussex, and this year that number is set to be even bigger. So buy a ticket and share the book love.

Thursday 14th May, 7.30pm
Ticket price incl. booking fee
£16.17.

Please book your tickets here...
www.ticketsource.com/childrens-book-fest-chichester

31/03/2026

and joined forces to bring author and illustrator to the city for a special event last week!
Guy delighted children from the home education community, alongside school pupils in receipt of pupil premium, with tales of his childhood dreams of becoming a superhero and the process behind making his book Stitch Head, before watching the Chichester premiere of the film on the big screen.
Guy also presented each child with a personally signed copy of the book to take home - a special memento from an inspiring day.
This exciting event showed how stories can come to life in so many ways - from page to screen, and through the imagination of young readers. It's part of Chichester's Year of Reading, celebrating the joy of books and encouraging more young people to discover a love of reading.
Stitch Head will be showing at Chichester Cinema throughout the Easter holidays for all families to enjoy.

25/03/2026

Repost • If you’re into it, read into it. Go All In.

Introducing the brand-new ad campaign for the National Year of Reading - where reading helps bring our passions to life.

Address

Chichester

Website

http://www.childrensbookfest.com/

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