A new Wantage Children’s Books Festival will launch in Oxfordshire this spring, with bestselling children’s author Camilla Reid among its co-founders.
The free festival will take place on Saturday 30 May 2026 at The Beacon, Wantage, with a full day of events for children ranging from babies and toddlers to teenagers.
Created alongside the established Wantage Literary Festival, the new event aims to encourage a lifelong love of books and reading through live author events, storytelling, craft sessions and illustration workshops.
Quick Facts
- Free entry for families
- Events for babies to teens
- Top UK authors and illustrators
Big names from children’s publishing and illustration
The first festival programme includes a strong line-up of well-known children’s authors and illustrators.
Among those due to appear are:
- Steve Anthony, author and illustrator of Please Mr. Panda and The Queen’s Hat
- Rob Biddulph, illustrator and YouTube drawing favourite
- Carly Gledhill, award-winning illustrator and picture book creator
- Iszi Lawrence, historian and broadcaster
- Serena Patel, creator of Pia’s Pet Club
- Camilla Reid, known for Pip and Posy
- Wendy Shearer, storyteller specialising in African and Caribbean tales
- Alex T. Smith, creator of Claude and Astrid and the Space Cadets
- Jonathan Stroud, bestselling author of Lockwood & Co., Bartimaeus and Scarlett & Browne
The programme will include interactive workshops, storytelling sessions and family-friendly events across the day.
Focus on reading for pleasure
Festival organisers say the event has been designed to help children discover books in a fun and welcoming setting, while giving families opportunities to meet authors and illustrators in person.
Camilla Reid said:
“I’m thrilled to be kickstarting this exciting initiative for the families of Wantage and Oxfordshire. In this age of distraction and anxiety, we’re now realizing how essential reading is for connection and family wellbeing, so this festival couldn’t come at a more important time.
“I’m particularly proud to have made sure that there will be a dedicated baby-and-toddler event room, because we know that getting families started early in the habit of reading is absolutely key to both school and life success.”
Reid is also co-founder of children’s publisher Nosy Crow and one of the UK’s best-known authors for younger readers.
A new family event for Wantage
The festival is being led with Judith Knight, former director of the Wantage Literary Festival, who said organisers hope it will become a regular fixture in the town’s calendar.
She said:
“The Wantage Children’s Festival is starting small in its first year, but we have high hopes that it will grow and become an annual date in the town’s calendar.
“This is why it is critical to give the next generation of readers a positive experience and chance to explore their interests and imagination with great creativity and enthusiasm.”
What families can expect
Organisers say the event will offer a relaxed, accessible atmosphere for families, with activities built around reading, drawing, storytelling and creativity.
There will also be practical extras on the day:
- Wantage Library will be signing up new members
- Wantage Bookshop will be selling signed books by featured authors
- A dedicated baby and toddler room will host early-years sessions
The festival is supported by the trustees of the Wantage Literary Festival and sponsored by MINI BODEN.
Why it matters
The launch comes at a time when reading for pleasure is under renewed national focus. Organisers say the event has been shaped by growing concern about children reading less for enjoyment, and by the wider push to encourage stronger reading habits among young people.
For Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire area, it also adds a new family-focused cultural event to the local calendar.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Wantage Children’s Books Festival |
| Date | Saturday 30 May 2026 |
| Venue | The Beacon, Wantage |
| Tickets | Free |
| Audience | Families with children of all ages |
| Highlights | Author events, storytelling, workshops, signed books |
Free tickets and more information are available at the Wantage Literary Festival website.
