Events for Children and Young People

Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was the same. You’re all amazing! George Webster, CBeebies’ first presenter with Down’s syndrome, shows how every child is unique and that difference is a wonderful thing.

Celebrate your differences with Webster, an Ambassador for Mencap and a star of Strictly Come Dancing 2022, in this joyous event exploring his hugely uplifting picture book about George, a boy with an exceptionally big heart. This is Me will bring out the glow in everyone!

Reach for the stars with real-life astronomer Dr Sheila Kanani as she introduces her new book Can You Get Rainbows in Space?, a compendium of space, science and light, told through the colours of the rainbow.

Learn lots of amazing facts such as: why is the world ‘going green’? Is the sky really blue? And what is ultraviolet light? – before being blown away by some colourful science demonstrations and even taking part in one yourself! Dr Sheila will introduce you to all the amazing jobs in the world of space and science to encourage you to dream big.

Patrick Kane was just nine months old when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 1998, leading to him becoming a triple amputee. In 2010, he became the youngest person in the world to be fitted with a bionic arm, and has gone on to carry the Olympic torch as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games and speak at TEDxTeen. Now a motivational speaker and campaigner, Kane’s Human 2.0, illustrated by Sam Rodriguez, looks at the leaps in medical engineering and the people he’s met, including Paralympians Richard Whitehead and Blake Leeper, and the world’s first ‘cyborg’ Neil Harbisson.

Bring your intuition to this interactive event and learn about the storytelling power of tarot cards. Podcaster, screenwriter and journalist Caroline O’Donoghue will show you how to use the ancient magical tool for creating stories, characters and situations. O’Donoghue is author of the New York Times bestselling ‘Gifts’ trilogy, an Irish supernatural adventure about a gang of friends who find special powers through the tarot cards. She’ll perform lighthearted tarot readings – expect revelations and lots of laughs.

Research shows that children form their earliest money habits by the age of seven, and Tomlinson is on a mission to teach young people how to form valuable, long-lasting money habits. The Cash is Queen author leads an energetic, interactive event, sharing her top tips and quizzing the audience on their own financial aptitude, making sure the financial habits we form are ones that will have a positive impact.