Events for Children and Young People

What if your parents wanted you to behave badly? In the snowy fjords of a Viking kingdom, terrible twins Hack and Whack are proud to be the best-worst Vikings. Nothing can stop the marauding pair. Join Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon as she introduces the second book in her new series. Find out lots of interesting facts about Vikings and expect plenty of anarchy and chaos in this fun-filled event.

Dive in to discover why we must protect freshwater to save life on Earth. Catherine Barr reveals the water footprint of your jeans, why fish leap up ladders and who lives in washing-up bowl ponds, while illustrator Christiane Engel shows how to draw rare pink river dolphins.

Join authors of The Mab Matt Brown and Eloise Williams for an event full of thrilling Welsh tales, alongside an enchanting illustration workshop from Max Low. Use your imagination to bring the mystery, magic and myth of the Mabinogion to life and to celebrate this new dual-language book.

An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 2.5 hour duration. An accompanying adult must attend at all times but does not require a ticket.

David Olusoga takes readers on a journey through Black British history, exploring the forgotten histories of Black people in Britain from Roman times right through to the present day. His children’s book Black and British: An Illustrated History is the essential introduction to understanding this issue. He talks to art historian and presenter Dr Janina Ramirez.

The author and artist collaborate to take you on a journey deep into the sea and beyond. Set in Shetland, Julia and the Shark tells the story of a girl who accompanies her parents to the island where her mother is attempting to track down the Greenland Shark. She finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope. The novel is a celebration of our natural world and an exploration of family relationships and mental health.

The author of An Answer for Everything teaches you how to research varied topics from sightings of the Loch Ness Monster through to how many humans have ever lived on Earth. Rob will then show you how to turn this data into glorious data visualisations.

Join this dynamic duo for an event full of fun, frolics and flying ponies as they celebrate the fourth and final Roly Poly Flying Pony adventure. Expect live drawing, interactive story building, songs and surprises.

Join author and historian Dr Janina Ramirez to discover the incredible goddesses, witches, saints, spirits and guides that have shaped our belief systems. There are fearsome warriors, mystical protectors and wise leaders – and each one can inspire you. From Medusa to Mami Wata, Brigid to Lakshmi, tales of powerful female figures have been told since the beginning of time – and it’s time to celebrate them.

An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 2.5 hour duration. An accompanying adult must attend at all times but does not require a ticket.

Meet the illustrator of the silver anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Find out how he creates the unique Harry Potter covers and watch him bring your favourite Harry Potter characters to life. Take a pencil and paper to draw along with Jonny. Join us after the event in the HAYDAYS courtyard to share your magical memories of reading Harry Potter and celebrate 25 magical years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with Bloomsbury Children’s Books and the National Literacy Trust. Everyone welcome.

Danielle Jawando’s new novel is a powerful coming-of-age story set in Manchester about chance encounters, injustice and how the choices that we make can completely change our future. Danielle Jawando teaches creative writing, her credits including Coronation Street and her debut YA novel And the Stars Were Burning Brightly was shortlisted for many awards.