Our children’s programme gets bigger and better every year.
As well as high quality children’s author events in the main programme, there are plenty of free activities for everyone in the family to enjoy. Ways to join in include drama and storytelling events, craft sessions and the return of the popular town-wide Once Upon a Trail – follow the clues and find the books.
Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all LitFest events.
Children’s Programme 2025
Once Upon A Trail – 13 Sept onwards
Shops and businesses on and around Marlborough High Street will have books in their windows for you to spot. Grab our Once Upon A Trail leaflet from The White Horse Bookshop, tick them off and earn a special stamp from the library or The Parade Cinema.
Sat 20 Sept – Tall Tales Theatre – FREE
Pewsey Library (10.30am), Marlborough Library (2pm)
Tall Tales Theatre performs Rumplestiltskin, a traditional tale with live music aimed at 3-6 year olds.
Free but please book your place by calling Marlborough Library: 01672 512663 or Pewsey Library: 01672 562265
Thur 25 Sept – Festival Launch with Marlborough St Mary’s
10am – Outside Marlbrough Town Hall
Children from Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School launch the Festival with songs on the Town Hall steps.
Sat 27 Sept – Story Craft Activities – FREE
1pm – 4pm drop-in sessions, The Parade Cinema
The Aldbourne Children’s Book Group provide
craft and art activities for all ages to provide some creative fun. Recommended for ages 5+. No tickets required.
Sat 27 Sept – Ashley Ramsden Storyteller – Tistou of the Green Thumbs – FREE
11.30am, The Parade Cinema Courtyard
Settle down to hear master storyteller Ashlev Ramsden relate this French classic in English
accompanied by guitar. Tistou’s parents And some unconventional ways to homeschool him with unexpected consequences. First
lesson, gardening…Recommended for ages 7+. No tickets required.
Sat 27 Sept – Storytelling – FREE
3.00pm, The Parade Cinema
Drop into The Parade courtyard, relax and enjoy some fun with our storytelling session. Recommended for ages 3 to 8. No tickets required.
Sat 27 Sept – Jessie Burton
2.30pm, The White Horse Bookshop. Tickets £5.
Bestselling author of ‘The Miniaturist’ Jessie Burton has now turned her considerable talents to children’s books with ‘Hidden Treasure’. This spellbinding story of two children on a dangerous quest to find ancient treasure that could return to them the most precious thing they have lost is gripping from the very start. Recommended for ages 8+
Sun 28 Sept – Tall Tales Theatre – FREE
10am, The White Horse Bookshop.
Lizzie Lewis of Tall Tales Theatre performs a family theatre event. This is recommended for children aged 5+. No tickets required.
Sun 28 Sept – Carrie Sellon
11.30am, The White Horse Bookshop. Tickets £5.
We’re excited to welcome local children’s author Carrie Sellon and her hilarious ‘Pizza Pete’ series. Full of madcap adventure, magical potions, a dog that breathes fire and even an exploding headteacher, these books are all about fun with a big slice of pizza. Carrie will bring her briefcase full of magical potions, so come along and design your own magical pizza too! Recommended for ages 5+
Sun 28 Sept 2024 – Thiago de Moraes
2.30pm, The White Horse Bookshop. Tickets £5.
Thiago de Moraes writes and illustrates books and comics about ancient myths, legend and history. ‘Myth Atlas’, a guide to global mythology, has been translated into more than 20 languages; he has been twice nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. At LitFest, Thiago will gell some traditional stories about trickster gods from around the world in his book ‘Old Gods New Tricks’ before inviting the audience to take part in a fun live-drawing session. Recommended for ages 7+