The Festival of Brilliant 2026 Programme
The Festival of Brilliant is a celebration of children’s books in Biddulph. It takes place on 10th & 11th July 2026 at Biddulph Old Hall. Find out more about the festival here. And check out the programme of brilliant authors, illustrators, poets and performers below – more to be announced in the coming months!
What’s on: Friday 10th July 2026 – for schools (years 3&4) & community groups
Louie Stowell
Get ready for myths, mayhem, and lots of laughs! Join bestselling author Louie Stowell for a rib-tickling event celebrating her doodle-packed Loki series. Her latest book, Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Causing Chaos, contains more gods, magic, monsters, and an adventure with Loki’s arch enemy Vinir, an annoying luscious-locked elven menace. In the National Year of Reading, discover Loki’s rule-breaking reading manifesto, the Lokifesto, learn to draw Loki and test your Norse myths knowledge with a quiz. Warning: mischief is guaranteed! Ages 7+
Dr Sheila Kanani MBE
This event will make you a scientist, Yes, YOU! Join scientist and author Sheila Kanani as she introduces you to 25 inspiring scientists from throughout history. Combining fascinating facts with hands-on experiments and demonstrations, this super interactive and inspiring event will spark curiosity and creativity. Children will leave excited to use their imaginations – and ready to head home and create their very own experiments! Ages 7+
Lisette Auton
Lisette Auton is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, who is passionate about telling the stories she struggled to find – those that reflect her northern, disabled and neurodivergent experiences. Suitable for any age and their grownups including a quick-fire ridiculously fun worldbuilding workshop where with just a piece of paper, a pencil and a bucket load of creativity and imagination we create an entire story and world via the power of making maps. Ages 6+
Jenny McLachlan
Travel with Jenny McLachlan to the magical Land of Roar. After learning how Lego and a folding camp bed inspired Jenny to become a writer, children will help her hatch an enormous dragon from an egg, put on a play and discover if they belong in House Fang or House Flame at Dragon Rider Academy. Ages 6+
Bethan Woollvin
Calling all fairytale fans! Join children’s book author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin for an exciting workshop inspired by her fractured fairytale Rapunzel. During this workshop, Bethan will explore classic fairytale themes, read her version of Rapunzel, and show you how words and pictures come together to create books! Then, sharpen your pencils and take part in a drawing workshop with Bethan, creating your very own fairytale artwork to take home! Perfect for young readers who love to draw! Ages 4+
Àlàbá Ònájìn
Take a thrilling ride with author-illustrator Alaba Onajin into Koroba: The Case of the Missing Kolo, the first comic mystery in an exciting new series for middle-graders. Immerse yourself in a rich, colourful world, interrogate every suspect, and see if you can solve the mystery in time.
Noisy Noise Noise – Working Boys Club
An interactive sound library for noisy children and their grown-ups! There are over 90 books, each of which, when pressed with a gentle finger, will trigger a noise. It could be a song, a film clip, a meme, or just something a bit rude and funny! Noisy Noise is produced by Activate Performing Arts, producers of Inside Out Dorset, and was created with funding from BCP Cultural Hub. All ages All day
The Magic Lantern
This curious contraption travels the land with its crew of storytellers, musicians, and puppeteers—telling and collecting stories, lighting up woodlands, and creating magic wherever it goes. Join storyteller Ian Douglas and puppeteer Jo Douglas for wild words and wonder. All ages.
BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY
Cat and Mouse Theatre present: BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY. Everyone joins in as American director Marty Beilsperg and master raconteur Charles Bexley Heath create a high-energy “Greatest Hits” of children’s literature. Watch as icons like Frodo, Alice, and The Gruffalo find themselves trapped in all the wrong stories in this unpredictable literary mash-up. Immersive theatre at its best.
PiCL
Partners in Creative Learning & Creative Future Leaders presents: Diggin’ Stories. Choose your own adventure; dig for treasure (metaphorically); explore the folklore of Biddulph; and meet a cast of quirky characters who can help you design your very own creative story zine.
What’s on : Saturday 11th July 2026 – for children of all ages and their families
Jenny McLachlan
Travel with Jenny McLachlan to the magical Land of Roar. After learning how Lego and a folding camp bed inspired Jenny to become a writer, children will help her hatch an enormous dragon from an egg, put on a play and discover if they belong in House Fang or House Flame at Dragon Rider Academy. Ages 6+
Joseph Coelho
Join former (and… ahem… youngest) Children’s Laureate and Carnegie winner Joseph Coelho OBE as he shares poems from his Out Loud collection, discover how to create a riddle, get tongue-tied with a tongue twister and what is a spoonerism! Ages 7+
Chris Haughton
Information is one of the most powerful tools we have. It has shaped every invention, cure and insight in human history. But like all tools, it can be used for good and bad. In this thought-provoking session, Chris Haughton explores how information – and social media in particular – can be used to share knowledge and connect us, but also to spread disinformation and propaganda. Discover how understanding the history of information can help us better recognise what’s true today.
E.L. Norry
Join E. L. Norry on the adventure of a lifetime with Robyn, Will and Scarlet, three unlikely school friends who learn they can take on the world when they stick together. Discover the inspiration behind Emma’s incredible books, discover your own creativity and learn how every one of us has a story inside. Emma Norry is a thrilling talent, who, having been through the care system herself, brings Own Voices heart and authenticity to this extraordinary adventure. Ages 8+
David Gibb
Join David on a musical journey through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where teddy bears dance all night at the disco, wolves are roaming the corridors at school, and finding a dragon in your bedroom is a regular occurrence. Guaranteed to have both parents and children singing along in no time, this is music that everyone can enjoy together.
Bethan Woollvin
Calling all fairytale fans! Join children’s book author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin for an exciting workshop inspired by her fractured fairytale Rapunzel. During this workshop, Bethan will explore classic fairytale themes, read her version of Rapunzel, and show you how words and pictures come together to create books! Then, sharpen your pencils and take part in a drawing workshop with Bethan, creating your very own fairytale artwork to take home! Perfect for young readers who love to draw! Ages 4+
Kieran Larwood
Calling all Dungeon Runners! There’s a space for a new team of heroes – this is your chance to enter the leagues and fight your way to the top! Join award winning author Kieran Larwood for this a-maze-ing, puzzle-solving event! Put your skills to the test, create your own characters and embark on an adventure, as you find out whether you have what it takes to become a Dungeon Runner… Ages 7+
Chie Kutsuwada
Discover the world of manga with Chie Kutsuwada. Learn what makes this unique art form so special before taking part in a fun, step-by-step draw-along session. Packed with helpful tips and techniques, this hands-on workshop will guide you in creating your own manga-style artwork to take home. Ages 11+.
Lisette Auton
Lisette Auton is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, who is passionate about telling the stories she struggled to find – those that reflect her northern, disabled and neurodivergent experiences. Suitable for any age and their grownups including a quick-fire ridiculously fun worldbuilding workshop where with just a piece of paper, a pencil and a bucket load of creativity and imagination we create an entire story and world via the power of making maps. Ages 6+
Sensory Storytime – New Vic Theatre
Join us for Sensory Story Time, a delightful 30 minute experience filled with imagination, gentle adventure and sensory-rich moments. Specially designed for families and welcoming to those with additional needs, this relaxed session invites everyone to explore stories in a playful, supportive environment. Led by the New Vic Theatre’s Education team Sensory Story Time forms part of the theatre’s anniversary project – 40 Stories @ 40 – celebrating four decades of stories that bring our community together. Come along, get comfortable, and let the story unfold. Early years and up.
Marc Jackson
Join cartoonist Marc Jackson as he teaches you all about his favourite thing to make: comics! You’ll learn the basics, and a little more, about comics themselves and how to create funny characters to go inside them. All skill levels welcome. Ages 6+.
Matt Buckingham
Join author and illustrator Matt Buckingham for a gentle story session with a drawing activity where the audience helps create characters in a collaborative workshop. Matt is the co-owner of Muddy Publishing, based in Stoke, who have a stall in the Marvellous Makers area of the festival. Early years and up.
Alex Foulkes
Join author Alex Foulkes for an arty, fun-filled session in the world of MINISTRY OF MISCHIEF! Meet some cheeky monster friends and design one of your very own, creating their portrait to take away. Ages 7+.
Footy Fairy Tales – Yarnbird Arts
What happens when football and your favourite fairy tales collide? Watch a talented striker ‘Cindy-Ella’ chase the ball and find her spark, help Little Red Riding Hoodie stick to the right path and defeat a terrible troll who says ‘No Ball Games Allowed!’. With live music and super storytelling, this performance will have the whole family cheering from the tands. Perfect for children aged 5-11 and their families.
Matt Windle
Do you love poetry? Great. Not a fan? Even better. Either way, Poetry with Punch is for you. Join former Commonwealth Boxing Champion and performance poet Matt Windle for a high-energy session designed to inspire, engage, and entertain. Blending the worlds of sport and spoken word, Matt proves that poetry isn’t just something you read – it’s something you listen to and something that you feel.
Charlotte Rowley
Charlotte Rowley is a headteacher at a primary school with a passion for writing. She loves poetry in particular and will share her love for rhyme with us at the festival. Join her for a fun poetry workshop and discover your love for writing! Ages 7+.
Noisy Noise Noise – Working Boys Club
An interactive sound library for noisy children and their grown-ups! There are over 90 books, each of which, when pressed with a gentle finger, will trigger a noise. It could be a song, a film clip, a meme, or just something a bit rude and funny! Noisy Noise Noise is produced by Activate Performing Arts, producers of Inside Out Dorset, and was created with funding from BCP Cultural Hub. All ages.
Gabriella Gay
Join poet Gabriella Gay in the Garden of Dreams for a fun and friendly drop-in workshop. Explore the magical grounds, sit and daydream, and give poetry writing a try. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Reading Fairy
Reading Fairy classes help parents to model the correct sounds that go with each letter of the alphabet, as well as ways to engage with your little one to encourage speaking and listening. Join a Reading Fairy session at The Festival of Brilliant. Early years and up.
Biddulph Old Hall History Walk
Enjoy a tour of the Hall and learn about the history of the buildings, the ruins, and the occupants of the house. You will also hear the exciting story of Robert Bateman and the love of his life Caroline Howard, intertwined with Nigel and Brian’s journey in restoring the Hall.
BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY
Cat and Mouse Theatre present: BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY. Everyone joins in as American director Marty Beilsperg and master raconteur Charles Bexley Heath create a high-energy “Greatest Hits” of children’s literature. Watch as icons like Frodo, Alice, and The Gruffalo find themselves trapped in all the wrong stories in this unpredictable literary mash-up. Immersive theatre at its best.
The Magic Lantern
The Festival of Brilliant welcomes back The Magic Lantern; a curious contraption that travels the land with its crew of storytellers, musicians and puppeteers – telling and collecting stories, lighting up woodlands, bringing laughter to doorsteps and creating Magic wherever it goes. Join storyteller Ian Douglas and puppeteer Jo Douglas for wild words and wonderment.
Zig Zag!
Zig Zag! is a charming, non-verbal outdoor duet for all ages. Two performers build a playful world from simple objects—dozens of wooden reels—setting tiny tasks that become big decisions. From chaos to calm, connection to division, they fix jams and rebuild together with crafted object manipulations and comic clarity. Ages 5+.
And lookout for The Tiger Who Came to Tea running wild!