BookFest is a festival for children who love stories!
Director Sarah Mullen launched Bournville BookFest on a shoestring budget and no experience of running a literature festival. Eight years later, it's one of the best-loved children's book festivals in the UK and Birmingham's only dedicated book festival for 0-12s.
We are very proud of our BookFest for Schools Programme where we bring schools some of Britain's best children's authors, illustrators and storytellers - and all for free.
We have also founded one-day sister BookFests in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull, to bring our brilliant book events to new audiences.
Bournville BookFest is based at Bournville Hub, which holds author events and writing workshops, and also hosts The Bookshop on the Green.
BookFest BookShop
Look out for our pop-up festival bookshop run by The Bookshop on the Green in the Festival Marquee - and remember every book bought helps pay to bring authors to Birmingham.
To keep our authors, staff and volunteers safe, we won't be having meet-the-author signing sessions after each show this year. But you can buy a book signed by the author with a personal message when you purchase your tickets online. On the day of the festival you'll be able to collect them at the bookshop at Woodbrooke.
Coming to BookFest events
We expect all children to be accompanied by an adult. That means adults will need to buy tickets too, exactly as if you were going to the cinema. This way everyone has a seat and - if they're taking part in drawing, paper engineering or modelling - we can ensure there's plenty of resources for everyone.
Hopefully you'll have an amazing time making things, laughing and learning together at BookFest.
There are exceptions to the Adult Ticket Rule such as writing workshops - where grown-ups merely need to be on hand in case they are needed and aren't actively participating. This will be made clear on the event description.
Finally, if you are bringing along older children, then babes-in-arms are free. If they are coming to one of our baby or pre-schoolers events, then we hope you understand they will need a ticket.
Accessibility
Bournville BookFest tries to ensure events are accessible for everybody.
Woodbrooke House itself, including the cafe, is partially wheelchair-friendly with disabled toilets (but no electronic doors). However due to the historic terrain and conservation needs of Woodbrooke, some outdoor spaces may prove difficult depending on weather close the event.
If someone in your party uses an electric wheelchair and wants to attend an event in the Festival Marquee, please contact us when you book tickets so we can reserve seating and make your visit as easy and stress-free as possible. Ask for Sala Davies sala@busyparentsnetwork.com 0121 4727989.
Additional Needs
We want everyone to feel welcome and have a brilliant day being inspired.
If someone in your party has additional needs, please contact us when you buy a ticket so we can ensure your experience goes as smoothly as possible.
If we know in advance, we can reserve seats for those with mobility or sensory issues. We also have coloured "Fast Pass" lanyards for children with hidden disabilities, who might struggle to wait in long queues.
Conavirus
It's fantastic to be back after a difficult year of cancellations, and we want BookFest to be a joyful, safe place to visit.
Please do not come to BookFest if anyone in your party feels unwell or has Covid-19 symptoms. Under the current UK Government’s NHS Test and Trace scheme we're required to ask every visitor aged 16 and over to provide their contact details for Test and Trace - and we will update our proceedures closer to the festival.
Please use the hand sanitisers and observe safe distancing. We recommend mask-wearing indoors when moving between events.
Refunds
Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. We are a small charity and BookFest tickets tend to sell out fast - but we couldn't exist if we had to issue last-minute refunds to people who had changed their minds.
We hope you have a wonderful time at BookFest - you're guaranteed a warm welcome!
