Celebration Events

The Northern Children's Book Festival brings together the 12 Local Authorities in the North East and is a partnership between all the library services in the region.

We’ve got a number of special celebration events taking place in the build-up to this year’s festival as well as a whole raft of activities and entertainment going on across the Gala Weekend.

Seven Stories will be running Story Parties from 11-12 on the Saturday and Sunday. Places for these sessions are limited and can be booked on the day so don't forget to ask about them on arrival.

You can also enjoy music sessions with the award winning Piccolo between 2-3pm on the Saturday and Sunday . Look out for our young magician, Mark Sowerby, who'll be performing magic tricks throughout the day on Saturday, as well as entertainment from Luna Tricks.

Throughout the two-week festival period we've got lots of top-name authors lined up to visit schools and libraries across the North East. Please note these sessions will be closed to the public but the Gala Weekend is open to all. To find out which authors will be at the Gala Weekend click here .

The following authors will be attending local schools and libraries in the region to help young book-lovers celebrate the wonder of the written (and drawn!) word through this year’s Dream a Little Dream festival theme.

Durham - Paul Cookson, Alan Durant, Joan Lennon, Rob Lewis, Margaret Ryan and Coral Rumble

Gateshead - Rob Crowther, Chris Higgins, Julia Jarman, Joan Lennon, Rob Lewis, Eric Maddern, Liz Million, Korky Paul, The Two Steves and Coral Rumble

Hartlepool - Julia Jarman, Cliff McNish, The Two Steves and Coral Rumble

Middlesbrough - Paul Cookson, Lynne Chapman, Lari Don, Alan Gibbons, Joan Lennon and Margaret Ryan

Newcastle upon Tyne - Paul Cookson, Tommy Donvaband, Paul Hess, Chris Higgins, Julia Jarman and Rob Lewis

North Tyneside - Lynne Chapman, Alan Durant, Rob Lewis, Eric Maddern, Liz Million, The Two Steves and Korky Paul

Northumberland - Lynne Chapman, Alan Durant, Rob Lewis, Cathy McPhail and Liz Million

Redcar and Cleveland - Paul Cookson, Steve Hartley, Rob Lewis and Liz Million

South Tyneside - Paul Cookson, Steve Cole, Lari Don, Alan Durant and Barry Hutchinson

Stockton - Rob Crowther, Alan Durant, Harriet Goodwin, Steve Hartley, Barry Hutchison and Cathy McPhail

Sunderland - Tommy Donbavand, Alan Gibbons, Harriet Goodwin, Steve Hartley, Paul Hess, Rob Lewis, Cliff McNish, Eric Maddern and Liz Million .