Brand new nature book festival for families launched at Westonbirt Arboretum

Do your children love books? Would they love to meet their favourite authors and ask them questions? Wild Wonder at Westonbirt is the place to be. A brand-new, nature-inspired children’s book festival is coming to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum this summer.

From Saturday 27 to Monday 29 August 2022, young bookworms can come and meet their favourite award-winning authors and illustrators and take part in a whole host of exciting activities all surrounding stories set in and around nature.

From storytelling and drawing lessons to guided walks through the arboretum with nature-loving authors, there is something for all children (and some adults!). There are some incredible names heading to the arboretum this summer to take part, including authors Michael Morpurgo, Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, Wild Child author and young naturalist Dara McAnulty. Not to mention TV presenter Jess French, M.G. Leonard, Emma Carroll and Michelle Paver will also be joining for masterclasses, workshops and talks.

Joining them will be several outstanding and bestselling illustrators including Martin Brown, Rachel Bright, Sophy Henn, Yuval Zommer, Katz Cowley, Adam Stower and William Grill. There will also be story time sessions and character costume appearances by The Gruffalo and Little Nutbrown Hare from Guess How Much I Love You. 

Join us at workshops, performances and activities with trails, book signings and craft sessions set amongst the trees. There will be bucket loads of fun, wonder, exploration, inspiration and learning. 

This exciting new family book festival is staged by Forestry England and Events of Wonder in association with Waterstones Booksellers.

Gill and John McLay, from, Events of Wonder said, “After everything that we have collectively been through in the last few years, we felt the time was right for a children’s book festival all about the wonders of Nature. Our programme celebrates everything that is amazing about children’s books, the people who create them and the amazing outdoors. Trees and animals – what’s not to love?”

If your child is a budding bug-finder or simply loves the outdoors, this year’s festival, with a stellar cast of children’s authors and illustrators, is set to inspire us all about the many wonders of wildlife and the natural world.

Tickets launched on Wednesday the 25 May 2022. For all booking information and to see the full event schedule and all the workshops on offer, go to https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/wild-wonder