BATH Children’s Literature Festival returns from Friday 25th September until Sunday 4th October, with a packed programme that ranges from a free Party at the Holburne Museum to a chance to discover the latest How to Train your Dragon adventure.

Among the leading children’s writers (and illustrators) taking part will be Katherine Rundell, Michael Rosen and MC Grammar, Dame Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Cressida Cowell, Ben Miller, Alexander Armstrong and Greg James.

There are many live events featuring favourites including Supertato, Elmer the elephant and Horrible Histories, as well as story time sessions, draw-alongs and masterclasses especially designed for young creatives.

This marks the second year of collaboration between the children’s book festival in Bath and Longleat in Wiltshire, one of the first stately homes to open to the public and which this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of the opening of the first drive-through safari park outside Africa.

For readers who love a series and are happy to invest time in following the adventures of their heroes and heroines, Katherine Rundell, will be bringing The Neverfear, the third in her hugely popular Impossible Creatures fantasy series, soon to be made into a Disney film and Skandar creator, AF Steadman, will delight her fans with the Skandar origin story, The First Unicorn.

Authors taking part in story-telling sessions include Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Jasbinder Bilan, Emma Carroll, Holly Webb, Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong.

For pre-schoolers there are story time sessions, a perfect cosy introduction to live events for little ones. And for young artists there are draw-alongs with inspirational illustrators including Rob Biddulph, Horrible Histories’ Martin Brown, and Chris Riddell, introducing his new Mermaid series.

Venues for the children’s literature festival include the Guildhall, Central Library, Forum, Mission Theatre, Holburne Museum, Bath Pavilion and Waterstones.

Waterstones, the official festival bookseller, will be hosting free drop-in sessions at its Milsom Street bookshop during the festival, featuring four artists in residence.

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

Pictured: Michael Rosen with MC Grammar, who will be presenting Ridiculous Raps and Rhymes at the Forum on Saturday 3rd October at 1.30pm.