Wychwood Festival unveils exciting Story Box lineup

Wychwood Festival's very own Children’s Literature Festival, Story Box, is the place to be. In conjunction with Rossiter, this year Wychwood Festival has an incredible line-up guaranteed to provide serenely sublime adventures for the imagination!

Come and meet the fabulous illustrators and authors who will fire your imagination with tall tales, fun facts, magical stories and pictures throughout the weekend.

Collage of book cover images (left to right) A Sprinkle of Happiness – Lucy Rowland & David Litchfield, Flame Chasers – Julie Pike, Peace on Earth – Smriti Halls & David Litchfield.

Story Box lineup:

Friday 31 May

1:45pm - Philip Ardagh

Wychwood's favourite author extraordinaire Philip Ardagh will cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Storybox marquee. Come and meet Philip and be ready to laugh your socks off, cheer loudly and celebrate stories, books and fun.

2pm – Jo Cotterill and John Dougherty

The first event starring two of Wychwood's favourite authors, Jo and John, who will celebrate their music, stories and poetry. With huge talent, boundless energy, and just a touch of bonkersness. Together they are an amazing musical duo but you can meet them individually for a chat about their award-winning books.

3pm – Lucy Rowland and David Litchfield

Hugely popular author Lucy and artist David have come to sprinkle happiness throughout the festival reading and illustrating from their marvellous new book. When a boy and his grandma plant a sunflower seed, it grows and grows, but what happens when a storm arrives to blow it down? Come and find out and plant some sunflower seeds of your own with them.

4pm – Julie Pike

Come and hear about the enchanting and exciting story of courage, adventure and friendship written by fabulous author Julie who needs your help today to invent a new fantastical, mythical beast.

5pm – Smriti Halls & David Litchfield

Smriti's words and David's illustrations are perfect together. They will read, draw and share their messages with you. Enjoy the uplifting words and pictures and remember “It's not as hard as it may seem, Peace lives in those who dare to dream, In those who hope and love and DO …Peace on earth is ME and YOU.”

6pm – Rachel Delahaye

Rachel Delahaye’s latest story Electric Life is set in a truly dystopian world Estrella where no pain or sadness exists and where bored teenager, top gamer Alara, sets off on a life-threatening adventure to discover the truth about the world she lives in. This is an exciting page-turning, edgy read with amazing future tech ideas. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Rachel and ask her about her ideas, inspiration and her writing.

Collage of book cover images (left to right) Interview with a Panda – Andy Seed, Black Hole Cinema Club – Christopher Edge, Grotti – Leonie Lord.

Saturday 1 June

10am – Gareth P Jones

Multi-talented Gareth is no stranger to Wychwood, and his events are always the best. Come and wave your ears in the air, strut like a cat and boogie on down as he presents a selection of fabulous interactive songs and stories about a disco dancing gorilla (CinderGorilla), cat-walking cats (SnowyWhite) and a long-eared rabbit (Rabunzel).

11am – Duncan Beedie

Whilst Duncan writes lots of brilliant picture book characters, it is the Heavy Metal Badger that Wychwood loves to hear about. Adults and children will find themselves unable to control their rock n' roll giggles. It is all about celebrating identity and self-expression as Badger searches for a band to join. It is fun and chaotic and a joy for music lovers of all ages.

12pm – Andy Seed

A perfect event for readers who love books and animals and want to know everything! Join Andy Seed as he gets everybody involved in a hilarious event. You may know that pandas are cute and pandas are clumsy, but what else will you find out today? You may find out about the endangered black rhino, flying fox and Cuban crocodile.

1pm - Christopher Edge

The Black Hole Cinema Club is a new sensation in children's books or, as the reviews say, "A mind-bending, blockbuster thriller at the speed of light". Four friends who regularly meet at the cinema find themselves carried away on screen through different exciting genre of movie in a rollercoaster page-turning ride. No spoilers, but Christopher has written the most knockout finale.

2pm – Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

Come and celebrate ten paw-some years of everybody's favourite baking doggy duo Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, the fur-bulous crime-fighting doggy detectives on their latest adventure. There will be interactive storytelling, live illustration and fun as author Tracey and illustrator Steven bring the latest book in their series to life today.

3pm – Gabriel Dylan

Join the amazing author Gabriel, if you dare, for a taste of spooky fun and terror. His latest book in the Shiver Point series, A Tap at the Window, is packed with chills and thrills. It involves an abandoned Darkraven farm, a gang of plucky adventurers and a very scary scarecrow.

4pm – Leonie Lord

Leonie is a picture book author and illustrator extraordinaire. Leonie shares her stories each year and you’ll fall in love with baby monster Grotti, who is lost deep in the woods. Knights have battles to fight and kingdoms to win, but even they have time and love to give to the right cute person. Join in Leonie's interactive fun event today where we will all learn lots about the joy of friendship.

5pm – Teddy Bear Ladies

Julie and Amanda, aka the Teddy Bear Ladies from the very popular tv programme The Repair Shop will join Wychwood. Their brand-new book Bartie Bristle is set in the heart of the Old Woods, in the magical world you would find in a special teddy bear shop. Bartie and his friends are about to become favourites with adult and children alike and this stunning treasury will be a bestseller so you might like to come and meet Julie and Amanda who will sign and dedicate a copy to you.

Collage of book cover images (left to right) The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish – Chloe Savage, Hannah Messenger – Bryony Pearce, Bunnies on the Bus – Philip Ardagh.

Sunday 2 June

10am – Doodle Time with Anthony

Super talented artist Anthony will show you how super talented you are at doodling, drawing and being creative. With Anthony's help and wicked drawing tips, you will be amazed and impressed with your own talent.

11am – Making Decorative Fans Workshop with Chaz

Unlock your creativity and bring your imagination along to meet the costume designer and maker Chaz. With fabrics and materials, Chaz will show how to make the most spectacular fans that you can use to keep cool and use at the Wychwood parade.

12pm – Sophy Henn

Sophy is an author and illustrator extraordinaire, who is bringing her new hilariously funny graphic novel series to Wychwood. Welcome to Happy Hills, a place where anything can happen and always does! Meet Sophy's friendly and sometimes not-so-friendly characters along the way as she shares her fabulous stories.

1pm – Bryony Pearce

Author Bryony will share top writing tips and her story secrets whilst introducing Hannah and the Gods of Olympus, who have lost their memories and are having their objects of power stolen. Hannah and her friends have a mystery to solve and a thief to catch in this brilliant new book.

2pm – Chloe Savage

Newly award winner Chloe will present her magical story of Dr Morley's search for the elusive arctic jellyfish. Using all her specialist equipment and trained staff, will she find what she is searching for? Or will it find her? Come and listen to this inspiring, beautiful story, and you can make a jellyfish of your own to take home too!

3pm – Philip Ardagh

Philip has performed at every Wychwood festival since 2009, even by video during covid times. Philip will talk about many of his books and giving tips so that you can 'write funny' too.

Day and weekend tickets available from the Wychwood Festival website.

---

For more unmissable festivals in Cheltenham check out our helpful guide - Cheltenham Festivals & Major Events Guide