Saturday 8 March 2025
In conjunction with Tales from Moon Lane, The Whitstable Children's Festival of Books is taking place throughout the Horsebridge Centre in this exciting one day event, to inspire children to see themselves as readers, writers and artists.
From graphic novel workshops to mini musicals, mystery solving sessions to illustration skills workshops, The Whitstable Children's Festival of Books has an event to engage and excite every child.

10.00 - 11.00
Fairy Tale Musical Mash-up
Based on the Fairy Tales for the Fearless picture books, join author Gareth P Jones for interactive songs and stories about a disco dancing gorilla (CinderGorilla), cat-walking cats (Snowy White) and a long-eared rabbit, Rabunzel.

10.00 - 11.00
Dinosaur Draw-a-long with Garry Parsons
Join Garry Parsons, illustrator of the best selling Dinosaur That Pooped series for a fun draw-along and story session. Find out how Danny and Dino save the city from the big super-baddy with the help a Superhero and a lot of POOP!

10.00 - 11.00
Dancing Dumplings with Eva Wong Nava and Natelle Quek
Join author Eva Wong Nava and illustrator Natelle Quek of Dancing Dumplings For My One And Only for a storytime and a "na-nium, na- nium, na-nium" arts and crafts session!

11.30 - 12.30
Neill Cameron Comic Workshop
A brilliant interactive workshop with Neill, Phoenix comic supremo and creator of the graphic novel series Mega Robo Bros. In this fun-filled hour, Neill will introduce you to his latest epic robot book and show you how to generate your own comics.

11.30 - 12.30
Daisy and the Trouble with Unicorns Draw-a-long with Garry Parsons
Come and draw with Garry Parsons, illustrator of the hilarious Daisy and the Trouble With series by Kes Gray.

14.00 - 15.00
The Search For Carmella with Chloe Savage
Join the marvellous author/illustrator Chloe Savage to explore deep underwater in her stunning, award winning, picture books. This is a fun-filled session of crafts, mask making, storytelling and wonderful, magical sea-creatures.

14.00 - 15.00
Mystery Makers
Join children’s author, performer and multi-instrumentalist, Gareth P Jones in creating a brand new musical who-done-it where YOU, the audience plot the story, play the suspects, discover the clues and solve the mystery!

14.00 - 15.00
Squiggledoodle Story-Time with Em Cosh
Come on an adventure with Kip and the Squiggledoodle in this delightful fun-packed event with author/illustrator Em Cosh. A magical celebration of friendship and growing up – it’s the perfect story-time
adventure to fire up young imaginations.

15.30 - 16.30
Big Gorilla, Book of Opposites with Anthony Browne
Join one of Britain's most loved author and illustrator, Anthony Browne, for a very special storytelling of his book Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites, and a unique opportunity to play the 'Shape Game' where children and adults can allow their imagination to fly.