Bath’s Children Literature Festival, which is also known as Bath Kid’s Lit Fest, will be held on 28 September to 7 October 2018 at Bath, Somerset, England. It is Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival that typically lasts ten days, spanning two weekends. The aim of the festival aim is to spark and inspire young imaginations, offer fascinating insights into the world of books and celebrate the joy of reading.

Bath’s Children Literature Festival has been organised by John and Gill McLay since its creation in 2007. At that time, the Bath Literature Festival, was not looking to expand its children’s offering, so the couple decided to launch a dedicated kids’ event of their own. Jacqueline Wilson, the author of the Tracy Beaker series, was the first author to confirm she would attend. Today, the festival has attracted a wealth of popular and talented guests.

During the first Bath’s Children Literature Festival in 2007, Martin Brown is the first cover artist for the festival. He drew the original ‘Big Red Chair’, which has been the focus for all subsequent illustrations for the festival, as artists reinterpret the chair using their own characters. Students from a local school in Bruton, Somerset, constructed a real chair which is still used on stage at the festival.

During Bath’s Children Literature Festival, various events are organised in the city during this time, such as talks with famous authors of children literature, story telling, drawing programs with popular illustrators, and many more. Events are also organised at local schools in the central week.

Bath’s Children Literature Festival is a great start to introduce the joy of reading to children. So, if you are in Bath during the festival, make sure to invite your kids, nieces or nephews, granddaughters or grandsons to the event! If you are not in Bath, no worries! You could still share the spirit by taking children to your nearest library or bookstores, and introduce them to the fascinating world of books and literature!