Children’s BookFest Bognor 2026
10th to 12th February 2026
Across three days in February 2026, 12 authors visited 9 schools and over 2000 books were gifted to the children!
From 10–12 February, pupils at Bersted Green Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Nyewood CE Infants School, Nyewood CE Juniors School, Edward Bryant School, Rose Green Infants School, Rose Green Junior School, Barnham Primary School and Downview Primary School took part in a lively programme of events - where every child was given a free signed book from their visiting author.
For many pupils, the book they took home will be the first they have ever owned.
This year’s Bognor BookFest carried particular significance for the festival’s youngest participants. For the first time, thanks to additional funding secured by the charity, Reception children joined in the celebrations - beginning their reading journeys with a signed book of their own.
Throughout the three-day festival, pupils met a diverse and inspiring line-up of writers and illustrators whose stories transported classrooms into new worlds.
Terrie Chilvers shared the joyful world of Koalas in Capes with children at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, while Joseph Elliott captivated pupils at Edward Bryant School with Nora and the Compass of Chaos. Ali Sparkes introduced young readers to the sweeping, code-breaking adventure of 100 Summers, and Frann Preston-Gannon delighted children with Little Lim & the Golden Treasure.
Elsewhere, Simon Philip filled classrooms with laughter through Perfect Pedro and I Really Want the Cake, while Iszi Lawrence transported pupils into history with Domesday Cows, demonstrating how stories can spark curiosity, imagination and conversation.
Children’s BookFest was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that meeting an author and owning a book can fundamentally shape a child’s relationship with reading, and nothing compares to the moment a child realises the signed book they are holding is theirs to keep.
