Click to download the 'at a glance' 2025 festival programme
*Please note - event attendees should bring a notebook or paper, pens/pencils and something to lean on.*
Warehouse Gallery
10:15am-11am | 'Fallout': Badge making, music vibes and more! - Lesley Parr (Age Range: 10+)
Winner of the Tir na n-Og Award (2022,2024) and Wales Children’s Book of the Year (2023)
10:15am-11am - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 10+
Badges are more than a way to decorate your clothes or bags – they can make statements, advertise your favourite music, make you feel part of something. In 'Fallout' by acclaimed multi-award-winning author Lesley Parr, badges are all these things and more. Join Lesley in a fun, interactive workshop where you’ll find out how.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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11:30am-12:15pm | 'Feminist History' with Kate Mosse | (Age Range: 12+)
Multi-award-winning novelist, playwright, performer, interviewer, writer of history and memoir and the Founder Director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction. Mosse was awarded the inaugural British Book Award for Social Impact in celebration of Allen Lane as well as a CBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list 2024.
11:30am-12:15pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 12+
Join us for an inspiring event with internationally bestselling author and Founder Director of the Women’s Prizes, Kate Mosse, as she shares insights from her groundbreaking new non-fiction book, Feminist History for Every Day of the Year.
This richly illustrated collection celebrates 366 remarkable women and girls - one for every day of the year – whose courage, creativity and vision have shaped history. From the trailblazers you know - Mary Wollstonecraft, Malala Yousafzai, Simone Biles and Sophie Scholl - to warrior queens, pioneers, activists and unsung heroes, Kate will share empowering stories from across the globe and throughout history.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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12:45pm-1:30pm | 'The Boy and the Octopus' with Caryl Lewis | (Age Range: 4-7)
Multi-award-winning Welsh novelist, children's writer, playwright and screenwriter. Her breakthrough novel 'Martha, Jac a Sianco' (2004) is widely regarded as a modern classic of Welsh literature, is on the Welsh curriculum, and the film adaptation - with a screenplay by Caryl herself – went on to win six Welsh BAFTAS. In 2023, Caryl won the Wales Book of the Year Award for the third time for her debut English novel 'Drift', making her the first writer ever to have won in both languages.
12:45pm-1:30pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 4-7 years
A fun session for 4-7 year olds including a reading by the author and some craft activities! Don’t wear your best clothes, it might get a little bit inky!
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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2pm-2:45pm | 'The Moonlighters' with Lee Newbery | (Age Range: 8-13)
Winner of the Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice Award (2023) and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
2pm-2:45pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 8-13 years
Come and meet bestselling author of The Last Firefox, Lee Newbery, as he brings to life his magical new book, The Moonlighters.
When ten-year-old Theo runs off from a school trip to London's Natural History Museum and decides to pay his gran a surprise visit, he discovers the surprise is on him - his gran is on holiday and Theo finds himself alone in the big city with nowhere to turn.
Enter Alistair Goodfellow, a mysterious, flamboyant young person with a charismatic twinkle in their eye. Alistair offers Theo a room at the Casablanca Lily - by day, a run-down and unloved hotel; by night, a palace of magical wonders.
Each night, Alistair sends their found family of runaways and ne'er-do-wells, the Moonlighters, out into London in search of lost magical artefacts, gifting them their own magical powers as a reward.
Theo is quickly enthralled, but there is more to Alistair than meets the eye, and soon Theo comes to realize that the items Alistair is hunting could be more dangerous than he'd ever imagined...
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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3:15pm-4pm | 'By the Light of the Moon' with Helen and Thomas Docherty | (Age Range: 3+)
Shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2026. Helen Docherty's books have been translated into 27 languages and adapted for the stage in the UK, Germany and Canada.
Thomas Docherty illustrated the multi-award-winning picture book 'The Hare-Shaped Hole' which won two prizes at the Children's Books Ireland Awards and another two prizes at the UKLA Book Awards in 2024, as well as being shortlisted for the Oscar's Book Prize and more!
3:15pm-4pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 3+ years
Join Swansea based authors and illustrator Helen and Thomas Docherty for storytelling, draw-along and a song as they share their new books Superwolf, Kerfuffle Bird and Moon Girl!
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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Ocean Room
10:15am-11am | 'Arnie's Flute 'N' Veg' with Angie Roberts | (Age Range: 9+)
Winner of the Tir na n’Og Children’s Literature Award 2025, and scriptwriter for many children’s television programmes, including Welsh BAFTA award-winning 'Jini Mê' and British BAFTA-nominated sci-fi 'Cabaret Quazar'.
10:15am-11am - Ocean Room
Age Range: 9+
Find out where, when, what, how and – OK then – why Arnie is so obsessed with musical vegetables. Then make some apple whistles yourselves and toot along to the well-known Welsh rugby song, ‘Sospan Fach’. “This,” as Arnie’s teacher was happy to point out, “gives playing with your food a whole new meaning!”
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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11:30am-12:15pm | 'And I Hear Dragons' with Hanan Issa | (Age Range: 8-11)
Welsh-Iraqi poet, filmmaker, and artist, Hanan was the 2023 Hay International Fellow and is the current National Poet of Wales.
11:15am-12:00pm - Ocean Room
Age Range: 8-11 years
Come along for a fun-filled session of poems from Wales' National Poet! Hear all about the many challenges the children of Wales are taking on, including discrimination, pollution, and more! Hanan will also read her poem 'And I hear Dragons' that celebrates the children of Wales as ferociously brave mythical beasts.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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12:45yp-1:30yp | '7 Cwestiwn, 1 Cerdd a Chlawr' gan Siôn Tomos Owen | (Ystod Oedran: 8-15 Cyfrwng Cymraeg)
Awdur, bardd, artist a chyflwynydd dwyieithog o Dreorci, Rhondda Fawr. Cyrhaeddodd ei gasgliad cyntaf o Farddoniaeth Gymraeg 'Pethau Sy'n Digwydd' rhestr fer Llyfr y Flwyddyn Cymru 2025.
12:45yp-1yp - Ystafell y Môr
Ystod Oedran: 7-11 oed
Mae modd i greu cymeriad, stori a byd cyfan gyda dim ond 7 cwestiwn, sydd yn gallu cael eu troi i mewn i gerdd, fydd yn ddigon o fanylion i ddarlunio llun neu clawr. Sesiwn gyda ychydig o ysgrifennu, ychydig o ddarlunio ond llawer o hwyl!
*Sylwer: Digwyddiad yn cael ei gyflwyno yn Gymraeg
ARCHEBWCH NAWR!
2yp-2:45yp | 'Dihuno’r dychymyg!': Dewch i drafod syniadau ac i greu gyda Meleri Wyn James | (Ystod Oedran: 6-11 Cyfrwng Cymraeg)
Enillydd y Fedal Lenyddiaeth yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Taf-Elái ym 1991. Enillodd hefyd Fedal Ragoriaeth yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2023.
2yp-2:45yp - Ystafell y Môr
Ystod oedran: 6-11 oed
Dewch i drafod syniadau ac i greu gyda Meleri Wyn James, awdur Na, Nel! a Megs
*Sylwer: Digwyddiad yn cael ei gyflwyno yn Gymraeg
ARCHEBWCH NAWR!
3:15pm-4pm | 'Enter the World of The Shadow Order' with Rebecca F. John | (Age Range: 8-12)
Winner of the PEN International New Voices award 2015 and Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel award 2017, and the Sunday Times EFG Short Story award 2015.
3:15pm-4pm - Ocean Room
Age range: 8-12 years
Join Betsy, Teddy, and Effie on a quest through the magical world of Copperwell, where shadows have a life of their own. Help them overthrow the corrupt government by creating your very own shadow creature. Three tasks, one stellar mission. Come join us for lots of writing fun and adventure.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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Warehouse Gallery
10:15am-11am | 'Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins' with Claire Fayers | (Age Range: 7+)
Award-winning author of comic fantasy for children. Her latest book, 'Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins', was Waterstones’ Welsh Book of the Year and won the Tir na n-Og Readers’ Choice Award.
10:15am-11am - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 7+
Join award-winning author Claire Fayers on a journey around Wales discovering the magical creatures that lurk in forest and valleys, and in our own back gardens. Design your own goblin postcard, create a spooky ghost story and learn how to tell stories with everyday objects. There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions too in this fun and interactive session for age 7+.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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11:30am-12:15pm | 'Creative Electricity' with Alex Wharton | (Age Range: 7+)
Award-winning poet, writer, author and performer and the CHILDREN’S LAUREATE WALES 2023 - 2025.
11:30am-12:15pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 7+
Join Alex Wharton, Children’s Laureate Wales, and be transported by creative electricity, joy and mystery. In this event poetry, rap and songs dance together as one. Combining his four collections of fizzy-dizzy words, he seeks to connect us, transport us and inspire a love of playful, curious and imaginative language.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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12:45pm-1:30pm | 'The Mysterious Suitcase': creating cool characters and fun stories with Liz Hyder | (Age Range: 10+)
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020 for older readers, the 2024 Nero Book Awards Prize for Children's Fiction and the 2025 Tir na n-Og Award for best English Language Book.
12:45pm-1:30pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 10+
This fun interactive workshop sees you create the three things you most need for any story … but what could they possibly be?! Come along and find out what CSI really stands for and what secrets are hiding within multi-award-winning writer Liz Hyder’s mysterious suitcase!
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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2pm-2:45pm | 'Writing about the things you love' with Manon Steffan Ros | (Age Range: 9-13)
Multi-award-winning author, scriptwriter and columnist, Manon has published more than 40 books. Her YA novel, 'Llyfr Glas Nebo' / 'The Blue Book of Nebo', won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, and has been translated into 15 languages.
2pm-2:45pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 9-13
Manon Steffan Ros discusses the joy of creating stories out of the things you love- be it football, fantasy, or absolutely anything else!
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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3:15pm-4pm | 'Do Penguins Like the Cold?' with Huw Lewis-Jones | (Age Range: 6+)
Celebrated environmental historian, expedition leader, and storyteller. Seafaring Huw is also a field naturalist and wilderness guide, as well as being an award-winning author and teacher.
3:15pm-4pm - Warehouse Gallery
Age Range: 6+
Author and polar-explorer Huw Lewis-Jones is back for an adventure around all things penguin! Do you love these birds as much as we do? An exciting talk packed full of amazing images, cool facts, and ending with the big penguin quiz! Not to be missed….
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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Ocean Room
10:15am-11am | Dylan's Park and Other Stories' with Helen and Thomas Docherty | (Age Range: 4+)
Shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2026. Helen Docherty's books have been translated into 27 languages and adapted for the stage in the UK, Germany and Canada.
Thomas Docherty illustrated the multi-award-winning picture book 'The Hare-Shaped Hole' which won two prizes at the Children's Books Ireland Awards and another two prizes at the UKLA Book Awards in 2024, as well as being shortlisted for the Oscar's Book Prize and more!
10:15am-11am - Ocean Room
Age Range: 4+
Join Swansea based authors and illustrator Helen and Thomas Docherty as they introduce a very special new book about Dylan Thomas's childhood adventures in Cwmdonkin Park, Swansea. They will also be sharing Helen's new book, Make It All Go Away, and Follow the Swallow, by Julia Donaldson and Thomas Docherty.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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11:30am-12:15pm | 'Create a TV show in 45 minutes' with Liz Hyder | (Age Range: 12+)
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020 for older readers, the 2024 Nero Book Awards Prize for Children's Fiction and the 2025 Tir na n-Og Award for best English Language Book.
11:30am-12:15pm - Ocean Room
Age Range: 12+
Using nothing but our collective imagination, join multi-award-winning writer Liz Hyder in creating the concept, characters, and plot ideas for a brand new TV series in only 45 minutes! From sci-fi to fantasy, from gritty drama to comedy, anything could happen! Majority rules in this fast-paced workshop with ideas being put to the vote along the way… Come along, join in and have a lot of fun!
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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12:45pm-1:30pm | 'Finding your story' with Emma Smith-Barton | (Age Range: 12+)
Author, teacher and creative writing mentor from South Wales. Her debut YA novel, 'The Million Pieces of Neena Gill', was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award, the Branford Boase Award and the Romantic Novelist’s Association Debut Romantic Novel Award.
12:45pm-1:30pm - Ocean Room
Age Range: 12+
Join us for a relaxed and fun creative session! We will look at how you can use your own life, as well as your imagination, to tell unique and powerful stories.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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2yp-2:45yp | 'Arwana Swtan a’r Sgodyn Od' gydag Angie Roberts | (Ystod Oedran: 12+ Cyfrwng Cymraeg)
Enillydd Gwobr Llenyddiaeth Plant Tir na n'Og 2025, ac yn sgriptiwr ar gyfer sawl raglen teledu i blant, gan gynnwys y gyfres a enillodd BAFTA Cymru 'Jini Mê' a'r rhaglen ffuglen wyddonol yr enwebwyd am BAFTA Prydeinig, 'Cabaret Quazar'.
2yp-2:45yp - Ystafell y Môr
Ystod Oedran: 12+
Dewch i gwrdd â’r cymeriadau, dysgwch am uwch-bwerau’r fôr-forwyn Swigi Dwgong, dyluniwch faner gyda’ch creadur môr ffantastig eich hun – a wedyn canu fel pysgod! ‘Rioed wedi canu fel’na? W! Morgi mawr, lle ‘dach chi ‘di bod?
*Sylwer: Digwyddiad yn cael ei gyflwyno yn Gymraeg
ARCHEBWCH NAWR!
3:15yp-4yp | 'Sgwennu am y pethau ‘da chi’n eu caru'' gyda Manon Steffan Ros | (Ystod Oedran: 9-13 Cyfrwng Cymraeg)
Yn awdur, yn sgriptiwr ac yn golofnydd arobryn, mae Manon wedi cyhoeddi dros 40 o lyfrau. Enillodd ei nofel ddiweddar ar gyfer pobl ifanc, 'Llyfr Glas Nebo' / 'The Blue Book of Nebo', Fedal Yoto Carnegie am Ysgrifennu, ac mae wedi'i chyfieithu i 15 iaith.
3:15yp-4yp - Ystafell y Môr
Ystod Oedran: 9-13
Manon Steffan Ros yn trafod creu straeon o’r pethau ‘da chi’n caru- gan gynnwys pêl droed, ffantasi, neu unrhyw beth arall yn y byd!’
*Sylwer: Digwyddiad yn cael ei gyflwyno yn Gymraeg
ARCHEBWCH NAWR!
Waterfront Workshop
10:15am-11am | 'I’m Going to Make a Friend' with Darren Chetty | (Age Range: 3-11)
10:15am-11am - Waterfront Workshop
Age Range: 3-11
A heartwarming and original take on the nature of friendship from philosopher and debut picture book author Darren Chetty. Moving neighbourhood comes with many challenges, especially making new friends. How long will it take? Will they play how I want to play? Will they hug me when I’m sad, or give me space? So many questions! But in the end, the only thing you can do is dive in and give it a go. Darren Chetty’s pared-back text explores the myriad of emotions – the vulnerability and courage – that it takes to form meaningful relationships. Sandhya Prabhat’s gorgeous and magical illustrations illuminate the story and celebrate the power of imagination. I’m Going to Make a Friend is the perfect story to share with children who have moved schools or home, or anyone interested in forming friendships.
*Please note: Event delivered in English
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12:45pm-1:30pm | 'I’m Going to Make a Friend' with Darren Chetty | (Age Range: 3-11)
12:45pm-1:30pm - Waterfront Workshop
Age Range: 3-11
A heartwarming and original take on the nature of friendship from philosopher and debut picture book author Darren Chetty. Moving neighbourhood comes with many challenges, especially making new friends. How long will it take? Will they play how I want to play? Will they hug me when I’m sad, or give me space? So many questions! But in the end, the only thing you can do is dive in and give it a go. Darren Chetty’s pared-back text explores the myriad of emotions – the vulnerability and courage – that it takes to form meaningful relationships. Sandhya Prabhat’s gorgeous and magical illustrations illuminate the story and celebrate the power of imagination. I’m Going to Make a Friend is the perfect story to share with children who have moved schools or home, or anyone interested in forming friendships.
*Please note: Event delivered in English