A grouchy gruffalo, Goth girls, a certain bespectacled wizard and a curious young girl with a propensity for falling down rabbit holes… You’ll find them all, alongside a starry cast of wonderful wordsmiths and awesome illustrators, at Bath’s Children’s Literature Festival.

There’s no better way to escape the mundane rituals of everyday life than by losing yourself in a good book. Float off to a world of fantasy, set sail for faraway lands inhabited by crazy eccentrics and whimsical characters, mythical creatures, heroes and villains. A good book fires your child’s imagination, and takes them on a journey through a gamut of emotions, where they can live through tender moments that bring a tear to the eye and rib-tickling jollity that makes them laugh out loud. That’s what great books are all about.

What a treat is in store for bookworms of all ages from toddlers to teens at this fabulous bookfest. Bigger and better than ever before with over 120 events taking place over a ten-day period, the star line-up reads like a who’s-who of the very best of children’s literature

Now in its ninth year, the Bath Children’s Literature Festival is the largest dedicated children’s book festival in the UK – and an exciting time for all book lovers! Events include workshops and masterclasses on everything from Shaun the Sheep model-making to writing film scripts and creating cartoons; panel events and debates; storytelling sessions for preschool children and Bath Picks, a brand new initiative to introduce the brightest new talent in the children’s book world.

Some of the star performers who will be sharing their passion for children’s book this year include:

• Julia Donaldson, the UK’s best-selling author and former Children’s Laureate, who will appear with illustrator Lydia Monks  to reveal What the Ladybird Heard Next.
• Dame Jacqueline Wilson will be giving a sneak preview of Little Stars, the fifth title about Victorian foundling, Hetty Feather.
• Dragon-whisperer Cressida Cowell will be showcasing snippets from her latest blockbuster How To Tame A Dragon’s Fury.
• Together for the first time, a dynamic duo of renowned poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter Michael Rose and newly appointed Children’s Laureate and creator of Goth Girl Chris Riddell recite and delight from their new poetry collection, A Great Big Cuddle. So hugs all round, then.
  
• Francesca Simon with her last ever Horrid Henry book.
• The legendary Judith Kerr, creator of classic picture books including The Tiger who came to Tea, will discuss her life’s work and new book, Mr Cleghorn’s Seal.
• Award-winning Gruffalo artist Axel Scheffler presents drawing and storytelling with Pip and Posy – and the promise of some surprise guests!
• Much loved author Helen Oxenbury, who illustrated We’re Going on A Bear Hunt and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
• Award winning illustrator and creator of Dirty Bertie David Roberts… and many, many more.
  

There will also be plenty of special celebrations in honour of a certain young lady celebrating her 150^th Anniversary, as this year’s Kids Big Bath Read will be Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Events and activities in honour of the Curious One and her cohorts includes a series of creative summer workshops and storytelling, Dreams, Darkness, White Rabbits and Mad Hatters as Cathy Cassidy introduces her own modern-day version of Carroll’s classic. There’s also an exciting opportunity to see how artists have presented Alice with masterclasses with Michael Foreman, Grahame Baker-Smith and Helen Oxenbury.

There are also events dedicated to Harry Potter, Dr Who, The Hunger Games, The Wimpy Kid and Star Wars, as well as Peter Rabbit, Topsy and Tim and Peppa Pig. So safe to say, there is definitely something for everyone!

And you know how we love a great picture book at MyLittleStyleFile, so we’re delighted to see some of our personal favourites are making an appearance, including Sophy Henn, Rob Biddulph, Steve Antony, Chris Haughton and  Alex T Smith.

Visit the full The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival programme for a calendar of daily events to discover when and where you can catch this glittery array of talent for the wonderful world of children’s literature, specially gathered together for children of all ages and their families to enjoy!

** FANCY OWNING YOUR OWN PIECE OF ORIGINAL ARTWORK? ** A host of well-loved artists have created unique pieces of work featuring the festival’s famous Red Chair in aid of Bath Festivals. Fifteen specially commissioned one-off pieces by Axel Scheffler, Chris Riddell, Ben Cort, Nick Sharratt, Korky Paul, Liz Pichon, Steven Lenton, Kristina Stephenson, David Melling, Sarah McIntyre, Mini Grey, Laurence Anholt, Michael Foreman, Alison Jay and David Roberts will be auctioned at a special Gala Event on Thursday 1 October in The Guildhall in Bath. If you can’t make it to the event, there is also a special online auction for over 60 pieces of Red Chair artwork by renowned children’s book illustrators. View the artwork for the Red Chair Charity Auction here.

About Bath Festivals Bath Festivals brings leading international performers, writers and thinkers to Bath every year to inspire, entertain and challenge audiences of all ages and artistic tastes. The festivals champion diversity and collaboration, open people’s minds, and showcase the work of both established and up-and-coming performers, all in the special setting that is Bath: a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Bath Festivals is the charitable organisation responsible for the internationally acclaimed Bath International Music Festival, the thought–provoking Independent Bath Literature Festival and the inspirational Telegraph Bath Children‘s Literature Festival.