Children’s BookFest Chichester 2025
October 2025
BookFest Chichester was bigger and better than ever this year,
with 28 authors visiting 28 primary schools and talking to over 4000 children!
We were delighted to welcome Sidlesham Primary School and East Wittering Community Primary School for the first time ever! Both schools fully embraced the BookFest, welcoming Guy Bass, Jim Beckett, Ewa Jozefkowicz, Jenny McLachlan and Sophy Henn and receiving 358 books in total, each personally dedicated by the very author that wrote them.
John Bond introduced scores of children to his book 'How Long is that Dog?' and delighted them still further by having a real-life cuddly version hidden in his bag. Terrie Chilvers captivated children at Parklands School with 'Snails of the Unexpected' and Chloe Savage brought the magic of her beautiful book, 'The Search for Carmella,' to both The March and Tangmere Primary.
The children in Key Stage two were treated to some pretty exceptional authors as well, including the one and only Guy Bass with his graphic novel version of the enormously popular ‘Stitch Head,’ the ever-colourful Ramzee, with his fantastically funny ‘Cheat Book,’ and the legendary Piers Torday with his sinister and twisty tale of the ‘Midnight Treasure.’ And of course, no BookFest would be complete without poetry, which this year was dynamically provided by Michaela Morgan and Neal Zetter.
Jessie Younghusband Primary had a particularly eventful BookFest this year. In October they welcomed Zehra Hicks to their new site and in December they also hosted the singing, dancing, farming, One-Show-hosting, children’s author JB Gill. JB spent the day talking to the children about his adventure series about Ace and the Animal Heroes as well as opening the school’s brand new library.
The feedback from teachers shows us just how much of a difference the BookFest makes to their pupils. The joy of these events, combined with personally meeting the author and getting your very own book to keep, sniff, read, share, and discuss with your classmates, is a vital part of unlocking the potential hidden within the pages. Our thanks to everyone who has supported us this year; whether you donated, volunteered, spread the word or came to an event, it all counts, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
