Children

Hay Player

Jacqueline Wilson

Paws and Whiskers

Hay Festival 2014, 

Hear Jacqueline Wilson talk about this anthology of cat and dog stories. As well as a new story from Jacqueline herself, it includes stories from contemporary authors and treasured classics such as Gobbolino The Witch’s Cat and 101 Dalmatians.
8+ years

Jacqueline Wilson

Hay Player

Quentin Blake

The Hay Library Lecture: In and Out of the Book – The Uses of Illustration

Hay Festival 2013, 

This year’s library lecture is given by the illustrator and writer, whose long collaboration with Roald Dahl and his own work, which includes Clown, Zagazoo, Mrs Armitage, Mister Magnolia and his recent study Beyond The Page, have confirmed him as one of Britain’s greatest artists.

Hay Player

Francesca Simon

Horrid Henry

Hay Festival 2014, 

Celebrate Horrid Henry’s 20th birthday with the bestselling author. Discover what led her to create everyone’s favourite naughty boy. Step into the world of Horrid Henry and relive 20 years of hilarious adventures with Horrid Henry’s Krazy Ketchup, the brand new Horrid Henry story. With a special appearance by Horrid Henry illustrator Tony Ross.

6+ years

Francesca Simon

Hay Player

David Walliams

Ten years of Glorious Stories

Hay Festival 2018, 

Since the publication of his first novel, The Boy in the Dress, David Walliams has seen ten years of global success as a children’s author. Hear about the inspiration for his best-loved characters, listen to him read excerpts from some of his books and get the chance to put your questions directly to him. David will be discussing his writing with Gemma Cairney.

6+
David Walliams
David Walliams

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Charles Freeman

AD 381: Heretics, Pagans and The Christian State

Hay Festival 2008, 
Charles Freeman narrates the end of religious pluralism and Emperor Theodosius’ ruthless establishment of Christian Orthodoxy.

Hay Player

Michael Morpurgo talks to Julia Eccleshare

Hay Festival 2009, 
The writer of the modern classics War Horse and Private Peaceful returns to Hay to captivate us once again with his magical style and presence.

9 years +

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Julia Donaldson & Friends

A Jolly Jamboree

Hay Festival 2011, 
Join this beloved children’s writer and her lively cast, for stories and songs about dragons, ladybirds and cave babies. Meet Julia's latest hero The Rhyming Rabbit, and be prepared for a guest appearance by the Gruffalo himself.
 
5+ years & families

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Ella Hickson in conversation with Francine Stock

Wendy and Peter Pan

Winter Weekend 2013, 

The RSC’s Christmas production is JM Barrie’s classic tale of the boy who never grows up, adapted in a spectacular new version by Ella Hickson. Here Ella talks about how she approached the story, what new twists she has brought to it and some of the things that happen to Wendy during the story.

Ella Hickson in conversation with Francine Stock

Hay Player

Garen Ewing

The Rainbow Orchid

Hay Festival 2010, 
Be transported to the 1920s world of Julius Chancer for traditional adventure at its very best and meet his creator, a modern-day Hergé. Experienced artist Garen will reveal the secrets of successful comic writing and the journey that led him to create The Rainbow Orchid graphic novel.
 
9–14 years

Hay Player

StoryBoard & Young Film Academy

EUREKA!

Hay Festival 2011, 
Have you ever had an idea for a brilliant movie? This is your chance to have that dream come true at a cinema near you. Help us launch a pioneering project at Hay: a major motion picture, made for kids, by kids. The story starts here, so bring your imagination. This is brainstorming for the big screen...
 
Duration 75 mins.
 
9+ years

Hay Player

Martin Brown

Horrible Histories

Hay Festival 2014, 
The illustrator brings in an action-packed show full of jokes, stories and live drawing. Find out fabulous facts from history and see drawings leap from his pen, with suggestions from the audience adding to the fun. The first Horrible History book, written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Brown, was published in 1993. The series went on to become a BAFTA award-winning CBBC show and stage show and there are now almost 100 books ranging from histories of the Romans and Greeks to the Stuarts and the First World War.
8+ years
Martin Brown

Hay Player

Jacqueline Wilson

In conversation

Hay Festival 2015, 
An hour with the great children’s novelist, whose latest books, both illustrated by Nick Sharratt, are Opal Plumstead and The Butterfly Club.
9+ years
Jacqueline Wilson

Hay Player

Jacqueline Wilson

Little Darlings

Hay Festival 2010, 
The author of Tracey Beaker takes on the world of celebrity in her latest tale of two half-sisters, and isn’t afraid to confront the issues at the heart of every tween’s life.
 
6–10 years

Hay Player

Jasper Fforde

The Song of the Quarkbeast

Winter Weekend 2013, 
The comic crime thriller author and all round nice guy reveals his latest caper - A long time ago Magic faded away, leaving behind only yo-yos, the extremely useful compass-pointing-to-North enchantment and the spell that keeps bicycles from falling over.

11+ years
Jasper Fforde

Hay Player

Quentin Blake

Hay Festival 2010, 
The treasured illustrator and author on his life, work and latest projects.
 
Family event
Quentin Blake

Hay Player

Michael Morpurgo & Jamila Gavin

Free

Hay Festival 2009, 
Join two of the UKs leading children's writers to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and celebrate what it means to be free.  An inspiring, essential event for readers young and old. Chaired by Daniel Hahn.

9 years–adult

Hay Player

Michael Morpurgo, John Tams and Barry Coope

War Horse: A Musical Reading

Hay Festival 2011, 
A live storytelling of this modern classic, with music and songs from the National Theatre production.
 
7+ years & families
 
Michael regrets that due to an injury he is unable to sign books at this event. However, signed bookplates will be available and he is happy to meet with audience members, so do bring along your camera and get a photo with him.
War Horse - Michael Morpurgo

Hay Player

Alyxandra Harvey & Marcus Sedgwick

Afterlives

Hay Festival 2011, 
The pages of Haunting Violet and White Crow seep with atmosphere; their writers reveal how they weave secrets and mystery into their gothic dramas. Chaired by Jonathan Douglas.  
 
12+ years

Hay Player

Charlie Higson talks to Mark Kermode

The Enemy

Hay Festival 2010, 
Meet the author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond, as he shares his love for all things horror in his new heart-stopping zombie-thriller series.
 
10+ years

Hay Player

Camila Batmanghelidjh talks to Helena Kennedy

Hay Festival 2010, 
The pioneering founder of The Place To Be and Kids Company talks about her work with marginalised children and her latest project - The Queen of Teen short story anthology.

Hay Player

Lauren St John

The Elephant’s Tale

Hay Festival 2010, 
Meet the inspiring creator of the White Giraffe series as she talks about her work with wildlife charity Born Free, and discover life on a South African game reserve, where animal conservation and adventure come together.
 
8–12 years
 
See the Blog for more details.

Hay Player

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

The Gruffalo LIVE

Hay Festival 2009, 
Join in the Gruffalo’s 10th birthday party in this interactive, lively celebration with the author and illustrator. Jam-packed with songs, music, fun and rhyme.

Family Event

Hay Player

Marc Craste & Helen Ward

Varmints

Hay Festival 2009, 
The writer and film-maker of this beautifully haunting ecological tale come together to discuss working collaboratively and their recent BAFTA nomination. Screening included.  Chaired by Amelia Johnstone.

9 years – adult

Hay Player

Patrick Ness

Monsters of Men

Hay Festival 2010, 
We’ve been with him all the way and we’re as excited as ever about the final installment of the Chaos Walking trilogy. Hear about it here first.
 
10+ years

Hay Player

Matt Whyman and James Dawson

FRIGHTFEST

Hay Festival 2014, 

In The Savages and sequel American Savage, Matt Whyman introduces readers to a family with VERY particular eating habits, while in Say Her Name, James Dawson dares to summon Bloody Mary from beyond the grave. Find out how to be funny and scary at the same time.
12+ years (YA)

Matt Whyman and James Dawson