With storytelling slots, free author talks to local schoolchildren as well as a bumper crop of children’s authors on offer, LitFest’s 2023 children’s programme features a variety of events to keep all ages entertained.

Families can follow ‘Once Upon a Trail’ around Marlborough to spot hidden stories in shop windows from 18 September to 1 October and over the LitFest weekend storytellers will pop up around town to entertain younger children with free events, including two slots at The Parade Cinema.

Look out for performances by Tessa Bide Productions of The Detective Dog by Julia Donaldson on Saturday 23 September at sessions at both Pewsey and Marlborough Libraries. Lizzie Lewis of Tall Tales Theatre Company will be performing The Ugly Duckling at Marlborough Library on Saturday 30 September in The White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough on Sunday 1 October. Aldbourne Children’s Book Group will be providing crafting galore for children at Marlborough Library on Saturday 30 September.

Award-winning children’s poet James Carter will give an action-packed poetry and music performance workshop while author and illustrator Mini Grey will provide a whistlestop tour of the story of life on earth in her new book The Greatest Show on Earth. Master storyteller, author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce will wave his literary wand for both children and adults alike in his talk about his latest children’s adventure, The Wonder Boys. This year’s Sixth Form Debate from St John’s Academy will feature an exploration of the ways writers present the realities and challenges of love in literature, with a focus on The Great Gatsby.

LitFest is delighted to once again offer a number of free author talks for local schools during the festival, this year featuring children’s authors Nizrana Farook and Christopher Edge.

Our free children’s activities are kindly supported by Hamilton Trust and Haine & Smith Opticians.

www.marlboroughlitfest.org