In 2025, our first festival year, due to kind sponsorship from a variety of local organisations Canterbury Children's Literature Festival were able to bring 4 authors directly into schools.

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7 schools received author visits in total (1 multi school event and 4 in-person school visits), giving children an opportunity to first-hand hear from and be inspired by some amazing authors, to learn about the art of writing/illustrating, and to be encouraged to find a love for reading.

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It is our aim that this is only the beginning!

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One of the main reasons Canterbury Children's Literature Festival was established was to offer hope after recent evidence showing that Reading for Enjoyment levels are at an all time low. To make a difference, we as lovers of Literature need to show just how great reading can be, and how reading for pleasure helps so much.

Evidence shows that those that read for pleasure do better in exam situations, tend to be more employable in the future, have improved sleep, and have reduced stress/anxiety levels - all key in such a high paced world.

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Next year we want to be in a position to extend our School's programme, to include more opportunities for more schools in July 2026.

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To do this, we need your schools support!

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You can help in one of the following ways:

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• Hold a sponsored event for Canterbury Children's Literature Festival! Idea's include Non-uniform days, Dress up as your favourite character days, a sponsored Readathon, hosting a literary themed drama event/music concert.

• Ask your parents and members of the school community to consider sponsoring the Festival. Support from the local area and businesses is key to making our festival a success - we'd love to talk about how they can get involved.

• Advertise the festival. Email us to be added onto our mailing list, confirming that you are willing to share 2026 festivals events with your families.

• Register your interest in a school visit. Help us to find our how many schools would love to be involved.

​​A big THANK YOU to all who entered this years What's the Story? Writing Competition!

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We received so many amazing applications and were pleased to be able to choose 10 winners - all receiving a £10 book token, and having their writing presented as a part of a trail around Wildwood over the weekend of the festival (July 11th-13th 2025).

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Big THANK YOU and congratulations to the winners - please Join our Mailing List to be kept up to date regarding next years competition!

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(See below for what 2025's applicants had to do)