THERE are often depressing reports of the declining numbers of children and young people who are reading books – but the popularity of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival does give ground for hope. There will be fierce competition for tickets to the amazing line-up of children’s authors and favourite illustrators and performers lined up for this year’s 18th annual festival, running from Friday 26th September to Sunday 5th October.

The ten days of live events of live events including talks and readings by Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Paddington film star Hugh Bonneville, Cressida Cowell, author of the newly filmed How To Train Your Dragon, Bafta-winning actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and long-time festival favourite, illustrator Rob Biddulph.

Rose Ayling-Ellis will talk about her book Marvellous Messages, sharing her inspirational heroes and her remarkable career, from her early love of acting, to being the first deaf presenter of the Paralympics.

The festival opens with a free event, Party at the Museum: Up Late at the Holburne Museum on Friday 26th September, from 5 to 9pm. There are stories and fun from the littlest pre-schooler (The Lion Inside with puppets, the lovable Bluey and The Gruffalo) to masterclasses led by bestselling authors for the over-eights who want to take their creative writing further.

Paddington and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville will celebrate the power of books to keep the magic of childhood alive. Hugh’s first children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room is all about making your own fun.

The 2025 festival sees a new collaboration between the UK’s largest stand alone children’s book festival in Bath and Longleat, one of the first stately homes to open to the public and which created the first safari park outside Africa nearly 60 years ago. Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, says: “Books are an important part of our heritage and just as reading feeds the imagination and increases knowledge; here at Longleat we also encourage families to discover, explore, learn and create memories. We believe there is great synergy between ourselves and the festival and are delighted to be working closely with the organisers to create a new chapter in its history; we hope you enjoy being part of the story.”

Rob Biddulph says: “There’s something truly magical about a children’s book festival. It’s one of the few places where young readers can step right into the world of the stories they love alongside the people who created them. Meeting their favourite authors and illustrators, asking questions, reading along, drawing along, and realising that books are made by real people just like them can be a life-changing experience.

“Books play such a vital role in a child’s happiness. Through reading, they’re exposed to new places, new people, and new ideas, helping them make sense of the world and their place in it. And let’s not forget that a love of reading helps develop a natural desire to learn too, something that stays with a child for life. That spark is exactly what festivals like Bath help nurture. I always feel privileged to be part of it.”

Bath Children’s Literature Festival was founded in 2007 by John and Gill McLay, who remain artistic directors.

Photographs: Cressida Cowell; Photograph by Heather Chuter; childrens laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce; Rose Ayling-Ellis, photograph © Yellow Belly; Pamela Butcher, photograph by Chris Close; Hugh Bonneville © author photo.