Join us for Fulham Pier’s first ever Children’s Literature Festival on 26th and 27th September, celebrating the joy of storytelling and the love of reading.
Enjoy a magical weekend filled with activities, interactive experiences and live readings from our local heroes to some of your favourite bedtime stories. With a programme designed for children aged 1-12 years old, there will be something to spark every imagination, from first tales to new adventures.
Bring the family along for a celebration of books, creativity and the wonderful world of stories by the riverside.
Find the digital programme here.
Full Schedule:
10am – 10.45am: Wake up & Bop with Bop Stars
Our Baby & Tot sessions are joyful, playful classes created especially for little ones and their grown-ups! Through music, movement, sensory fun and imaginative play, we bring little worlds to life – sparking imaginations, encouraging curiosity and exploration, building confidence and supporting those all-important early development skills.
From singing and dancing to exciting props, sensory discoveries and playful adventures, every session gives babies and toddlers the chance to move, explore, create, giggle and express themselves in their own wonderful way. Expect plenty of music, plenty of magic and most importantly, plenty of fun!
Designed for children 0 - 2 years old.
Ticket includes admission for 1 adult & 1 child
Book tickets here
10am – 11am: Long live the African Queens with Onyinye Iwu
Did you know that some of the most powerful leaders in history were African queens? Join author-illustrator Onyinye Iwu for a vibrant, hands-on session celebrating twelve incredible women who ruled, fought and inspired across the African continent. Discover their stories, hear about their victories – and then design yourself as royalty.
Book tickets here
11am – 12pm: The Scruffapillar book reading with J.D. Okoro
Join acclaimed author J.D. Okoro for a reading of The Scruffapillar. A charming tale about a little caterpillar with a secret who sets off on an exciting adventure meeting new friends along the way. Families can also enjoy a draw-along and hand-puppetry.
Free to attend
11.30am – 12.30pm: African Drumming Workshop with Kay Smith
Experience the joy of drumming together as a family, step into the rhythm and discover African drumming with Kay Smith in a lively, family friendly drum circle. For centuries, African drumming has brought people together to celebrate, communicate, connect and express the many rhythms of life. Perfect for all ages, this is an upbeat interactive session that offers a chance to put the screens away, try something new and enjoy making music together.
Book tickets here
1pm – 2pm: An Interactive Twirly Session with Author Farrah Riaz
Join author Farrah Riaz for an hour-long journey into the world of her book, The Twirly Wiggly Dance – featured in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Dive into the inspiration behind the story, enjoy a fun interactive story time, and play an engaging true-or-false game complete with hand gestures. Then, take part in a live draw-along, learn a super easy dance routine to get everyone moving, and finish with a book signing. Perfect for young readers, dreamers and families.
Free to attend
Please note the location for this event has changed to the Orange Box, Level -1.
1.30pm – 2.30pm: The Princes and the Pea with Peter Bently
The Princes and the Pea is a modern take on the old tale, with a joyful rainbow twist that celebrates following your heart to find love. Join Peter for a lively reading of the story, followed by a creative writing activity where children will discover simple tips for starting their own picture-book story. A joyful, creative session celebrating stories, imagination and following your heart.
Book tickets here
2.30pm – 4pm: Pop-Up Book Workshop with John O'Leary
Join popular author, illustrator and paper engineer John O’Leary for a pop-up design masterclass. Learn the basics of pop-ups and discover how to develop simple mechanisms into more complex designs in easy-to-follow steps. This fun family workshop will give you everything you need to start designing your own pop-up cards and books. All materials are supplied – you bring the creativity.
Free to attend
4pm – 5pm: Writing to Protest with Rebecca Lewis-Oakes
To celebrate the publication of book 4 in the Dream Keepers series, Whispers of Wishing River, local author Rebecca Lewis-Oakes is hosting a creative workshop ‘Writing to Protest’ where we’ll find a cause close to our hearts and design our own protest banners to take home.
In Whispers of Wishing River, Fatima and her friends are Dream Keepers of the magical Moon Wood. When pollution in their daytime home town of Sunny Wood starts to affect Moon Wood, Fatima decides to hold a protest to recruit residents to her cause.
Book tickets here
4pm – 5pm: Who Ate Steve Picture Book Making With Susannah Lloyd
Susannah began her writing journey when she was just five years old, at her kitchen table, with lots of felt tip pens and some help from her mum to staple the pages together. She has always loved writing about naughty mis-behaving animals. In this workshop Susannah shares her naughtiest picture book yet, Who Ate Steve, and shares all her top tips for story making at any age, helping the children get started on their very own incredible picture books.
Book tickets here
T&Cs: Events are subject to change, Bookings are subject to availability. Free events are on a first come first served basis.
VIEW SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
Why not join us for some food and drink before, during, or after? You’ll find casual bites and drinks in Riverside Market, from burgers, to Middle-Eastern, tacos to cocktails. And if you’re looking for something more refined, why not book a table at Constance, our seasonal, modern British restaurant by Adam Byatt.