Children’s Book Festival to Bring Stories, Creativity and Family Fun to Durham Market Place

Durham Market Place will be transformed into a celebration of stories and imagination when the city’s Children’s Book Festival takes place on Friday 21st August 2026.

Durham Market Place will be transformed into a celebration of stories and imagination when the
city’s Children’s Book Festival takes place on Friday 21st August 2026.

Running from 9am until 4pm, the free family-friendly event will feature readings, workshops and
creative activities led by local children’s authors, alongside a free children’s activity tent and free
face painting from 11am until 2pm.

A dedicated Book Tent will host activities throughout the day, beginning at 10am. Children will be
able to help shape an adventure story, create ladybird bookmarks, meet memorable book
characters, investigate the natural world and discover more about the endangered pangolin.
The event has been organised by outdoor market trader Annette Atherton, owner of Bert & Barn’s
Natural Doggy Treats, with the support of Durham Markets. Although Annette’s own business is
not book-related, her passion for encouraging children to read inspired her to dedicate her free
time to bringing local authors, traders and activities together for the festival.

Annette Atherton said: “Books can take children anywhere. They can spark their imaginations,
help them understand the world and give them characters and stories they may remember for the
rest of their lives. I really wanted to create a day that celebrates that magic and gives families the
chance to enjoy stories and activities together, completely free of charge.”

The festival comes at an important time for children’s reading. Research published by the National
Literacy Trust in 2025 found that one in ten children and young people aged five to 18 in the UK
did not have a book of their own at home. The same research found that children who owned a
book were almost four times as likely to enjoy reading and to read every day as those who did not.
Rather than focusing on the figures alone, the Children’s Book Festival aims to show just how
exciting, sociable and inspiring reading can be, bringing stories to life through play, creativity and
interaction.

Among the local authors taking part is Karen Crear, whose books celebrate resilience, friendship
and finding laughter in unexpected places. Karen wrote her first children’s story, Where There’s a
Wheel, There’s a Way, when she was just nine years old. Decades later, she transformed it into a
beautifully illustrated published book, written under the name Karen Ferguson.

Karen will bring the original handwritten and illustrated book, now 43 years old, for children to see.
She will also read from the published story and lead a colouring activity featuring Humphrey the
Tortoise and other characters. A portion of the book’s proceeds supports the Dragonfly Cancer
Trust, a charity helping terminally ill children and their families create precious memories together.
Its work is particularly close to Karen’s heart following her own two experiences of cancer.

Children’s author, illustrator and former primary school teacher Elaina Moon will introduce families
to Little Ladybird and the Perilous Picnic, the first of her imaginative books. Elaina, who is also a
trustee of the Robert Stephenson Trust, writes and illustrates adventures featuring everything from
time travel and magical vaults to dinosaurs, flower friends and mischievous Christmas baubles.
She will read her ladybird story and help children make their own ladybird bookmarks.

Cath Wren will introduce Pangolin Blues, her thoughtful conservation-themed picture book for
children aged four and over. Following young Peter Pangolin and his mum through their forest
home, the story raises awareness of a beautiful but little-known endangered mammal and the

challenges it faces. Cath will lead an interactive talk, reading and creative activity, as well as
helping children make mice and decorate a garden inspired by her book Fred.
The Book Tent programme also includes an interactive choose-your-own-adventure story from
Rebecca Usbourne Books and a Little Jars of Wonder nature investigation with Creature
Comforts.

Visitors will also be able to browse a varied outdoor market featuring book-themed traders, arts
and crafts, gifts, dog treats, food, drinks and more.

The Children’s Book Festival takes place from 9am until 4pm on Friday 21st August at Durham
Market Place, DH1 3NJ. Workshops begin at 10am and all children’s activities and face painting
are free.

BOOK TENT PROGRAMME
10am–11am – Rebecca Ellison – Usborne Books
An interactive adventure story in which the children help decide what happens next.

11:15am–12:15pm – Elaina Moon
A reading of Little Ladybird and the Perilous Picnic, followed by a ladybird bookmark craft activity.

12:30pm–1:30pm – Karen Crear
A reading and character-colouring activity inspired by Where There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way,
featuring Humphrey the Tortoise.

1:45pm–2:45pm – Creature Comforts
Little Jars of Wonder: a hands-on investigation inviting children to discover what is hidden inside,
inspired by books about nature.

3pm–4pm – Cath Wren
An interactive introduction to Pangolin Blues, plus a creative activity inspired by Fred, including
making mice and decorating a garden.