Amazing Authors - Brilliant Books - Charming Cuckfield
Children & Young People
Children's Bookfest
During the main festival weekend each October, we host a number of events for children of all ages, ensuring that younger audiences are an integral part of the Bookfest experience.
From lively drawalongs to hands-on writing workshops, we place a strong emphasis on interaction—encouraging children not just to listen, but to join in, create and explore. We aim to spark imagination and build confidence through direct, engaging experiences.
We have been delighted to welcome authors such as Lucy Strange, known for her atmospheric storytelling, including her popular Lockett & Wilde mystery series; Sarah Crossan, whose powerful verse novel Where the Heart Should Be explores identity, courage and belonging; Nick Sharratt, instantly recognisable for his bold, playful illustrations; and Katie Kirby, creator of the much-loved Lottie Brooks series, which captures the everyday dramas of growing up with humour and warmth.
Through encounters with writers like these we aim to foster a lasting enjoyment of reading and writing in a way that feels lively, inclusive and memorable – so come and join in.
Cuckfield Bookfest Goes All In:
We’ve pledged our support for the National Year of Reading 2026
We’re thrilled to announce that Cuckfield Bookfest has pledged its support for the National Year of Reading 2026 — a UK-wide campaign calling on all of us to go all in with reading.
The National Year of Reading, led by the National Literacy Trust and backed by the Department for Education, exists for one simple reason: reading transforms lives. It expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity and yet reading for pleasure is in decline across all age groups. This is a moment for communities, organisations, and individuals to come together and change that.
As a book festival that has celebrated the joy of reading in the heart of Mid Sussex for nearly a decade, pledging our support felt like the most natural thing in the world. We’re committed to spreading the word about the campaign, championing reading with local schools, and making our 2026 festival a moment that puts books and reading centre stage for everyone.
Because books aren’t just something we love. They’re something we believe in.
Find out more and pledge your own support at goallin.org.uk.
Educational Sponsors
At Cuckfield Bookfest, we are very lucky to enjoy the support of our two educational sponsors, Hurstpierpoint College and Cumnor House School. Their invaluable support which is both financial and practical helps us extend our reach within the local community.
Each year, our writing competition invites pupils to share their own stories and ideas, giving them a platform to be creative, to be heard, and to see their work celebrated.
While we don’t run a full schools programme every year, we have, in the past, brought authors into Holy Trinity Cuckfield and Cumnor House School, with attendees joining from Danehill Church of England Primary, Oathall Community College, Warden Park Secondary Academy and Grove Park School—a maintained school meeting the needs of learners with complex needs.
These shared events create memorable opportunities for pupils to encounter authors and ideas beyond the classroom.
Upcoming Children's Events
Anne and Steve Brusatte
Anne and Steve Brusatte
Anne Brusatte was born in Bristol, lived in New York, and now lives in Edinburgh, where she taught primary school for over a decade. She is closely familiar with children’s