Welcome to our Early Bird programme. The full programme will be released at the end of March.
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.
Join the author of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could for a fun-filled event packed with stories, drawing and games. Hear the tale of The Squirrels who Squabbled – a tale of two greedy mammals who must learn to share – before learning how to draw one of the iconic animal characters from Rachel’s books, illustrated by the talented Jim Field.
Come to this family and children's nature adventure session run by Rooted Forest School in the Hay Festival Wild Garden. Join in a range of outdoor, Forest School-inspired activities including nature games, natural crafts and making, fire skills, foraging and cooking.
What does it take to be a Dragonsitter? Could you be one? This is your opportunity to find out. Join the author and illustrator to learn about The Dragonsitter series in a fun-filled event packed full of storytelling and live-drawing.
Join Sophy for a storytelling session and live draw-along where children will learn how to depict some of the adorable animal characters from her book Almost Anything, and then make their own magic hats; materials provided.
Come to this family and children's nature adventure session run by Rooted Forest School in the Hay Festival Wild Garden. Join in a range of outdoor, Forest School-inspired activities including nature games, natural crafts and making, fire skills, foraging and cooking.
(parents must attend but do not require a ticket)
Michael Morpurgo is joined by the French illustrator of his remarkable new true story, about his two uncles, Pieter and Francis, one an airman and the other an SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the Second World War. The event will include reading by the author and live drawing by Barroux.
A stand-up comedy show for children, their parents and anyone who likes laughter without the rude words. Hold on to your socks, take the banana out of your ears and enjoy the best comedy for kids from the man who invented it. James’s show will find The Hilariously Funny Things about everything including pets, couscous, spaniels, making your own yoghurt, bees and why we have hair.
The 94-year-old author's creation celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. The writer discusses its enduring appeal and her long career as a writer and illustrator with the broadcaster, musician and novelist.
The author of The Awesome Book of Animals wants to know if you share his passion for the animal kingdom. Join him to discover some of the wildest facts about the creatures that share our planet and test your knowledge in a fun quiz.
The author and the illustrator welcome you to check in to The Nothing To See Here Hotel – occupied by magical creatures, where weird is normal for Frankie Banister and his parents who run the hotel. This series features energetic storytelling from Butler while Lenton will draw you into the adventure as he sketches the characters live on stage and gives you tips on how to create your own magical establishment.
Work with Hereford College of Arts Illustration degree students to create exciting and inventive images based on space and time travel. Be prepared to explore ideas from another orbit and beyond this time frame.
(parents must attend but do not require a ticket)
Join the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and Lollies winner, for a session of stories, laughs and draw-alongs. Jim will teach you how to draw Barry Loser and his mates as well as drawing live portraits of the audience.
The author and poet discusses his latest series Greta Zargo, which stars a schoolgirl turned detective. He will also talk about the Fizzlebert Stump series, The Imaginary and The Song from Somewhere Else. Bring your imagination and find out what fun words can be.
Join the science presenter, YouTube star and author of The Bacteria Book as he introduces the big world of tiny science and microbiology. Through amazing experiments that will make you ‘ooh’ and ‘ew’ in equal measure, budding scientists will learn all about bacteria and their microbial mates, from vile viruses and funky fungi to algae, archaea and protozoa. Discover why bacteria are the most important living organisms on Earth and how they keep our world and our bodies working, from the truly gross and terrifying to the simply amazing.
For thousands of years, people have been telling stories that are strikingly similar. Beverley introduces Cinderella of the Nile, a 2,000-year-old Greek version of the familiar folk tale that includes the great storyteller Aesop. Drawing from the stories of her own childhood, she will discuss different Cinderella versions and how stories cross boundaries, making new tales out of the old.
Express yourself in this West African Drumming workshop with Senegalese Djembes drums, hand percussion and dance. Be prepared to get energetic.
Hay Primary School, Oxford Rd, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5BT
(parents must attend but do not require a ticket)
It’s not easy being a super special secret agent when you’re little…it’s even harder when you’ve got eight legs. Meet the creator of Superbat and Spyder to learn what it takes to be a super spy. Learn how to draw everyone’s favourite eight-legged agent, make your very own spyder puppet and learn some fun facts along the way.
