Isle of Wight Story Festival
2025 Line Up
.jpg)
Friday 20 February 13.30
Age 7+ The Ministry of Nonsense Rhymes!
Adam is in charge of the ministry of nonsense rhymes, so he needs help creating poems based on the wondrous surroundings of the Museum of Curious Enchantment in the Clayden gallery.
​
Friday 20 February 13.30
Age 8+ How to be disabled and proud – for disabled children and allies!
​
Cathy​ will talk about life as an author and how she came to write her book. Reading an an excerpt from 'How to be Disabled and Proud', Cathy will highlight the message of empowerment in the book, and also draw attention to the things we need to do in order to make the world more inclusive and accessible to disabled people.
.jpg)
Friday 20 February 10.00
Age 4+ How to Catch a Book Witch
Kira loves reading, visiting the library for a new book is her favourite thing. One day the words in the books start to disappear and the adults start to get grumpy.
An open hearted show aimed at children aged 4+. Exploring the importance of libraries, sharing stories and not judging people. The show features live music, puppetry, storytelling, key-word signing and captions. All shows are relaxed.
Friday 20 February 15.30
Age 8+ So You Think You Know Vampires?
A fun, interactive session where author Emma Carroll takes us on a whistle-stop tour of vampire history, and the inspiration behind her latest book Dracula & Daughters.
Friday 20 February 15.15
Age 7+ It's fun to think up stories to write.
​
Join Felicity at the Story Festival for a magical journey into the world of storytelling! Felicity will share her enchanting tales and inspire young minds to discover the stories within themselves. Through engaging and creative prompts, children will explore their imagination learn how to craft their own unique narratives. Don't miss this opportunity to spark the joy of storytelling and unleash your child's creativity!
Saturday 21 February 10.00
Age 5+ Pugs of the Frozen North
The Race to the Top of the World! It comes around once in a lifetime, and the prize? Your heart's desire. Shen and Sika can't resist the chance to win, but competition is fierce. The path to victory is littered with snow trolls, sea monsters, and a gang of particularly hungry yetis. But Shen and Sika have something the other contestants don't have. Actually, they have 66 other things; pugs to be exact. That's a 264 paw-powered sled. Let the race begin!
Saturday 21 February 10.30
Age 5+ Sea Monsters and Mermaids
​
Hear stories of sea monsters and mermaids, discover some strange sea creatures and make your own book of sea beasts to take home!
Friday 20 February 10.00
Age 8+ Quiet Poems, Loud Poems
​
Explore how poetry can help you express and process your deepest thoughts and emotions in this relaxed creative writing workshop. No thought is too quiet, no feeling too loud, pens at the ready, we'll write and be proud.
Friday 20 February 14.00
Age 7+ Nora and the Map of Mayhem
​
Join award-winning actor and author Joseph Elliott - star of CBeebies Swashbuckle and CBBC's Big Fat Like as he talks all about his new book series, Nora and the Map of Mayhem. When Atticus and Autumn's dads leave them with their eccentric great-grandmother Nora for the weekend, they're hoping for a few days scoffing biscuits and playing video games. But when Nora's around, nothing ever goes quite to plan...
Friday 20 Feb 10.30
Age 3+ The Museum of Curious Enchantments
Step inside the Museum of Curious Enchantment — a wonder-filled space for children and families, where every object has a story waiting to be told. Explore shelves of odd and intriguing treasures: curious old photographs, strange trinkets, and mysterious finds you can touch, examine, and imagine into life.
Friday 20 Feb 10.30
Age 3+ How to Train Your Pencil
Step inside the Museum of Curious Enchantment — a wonder-filled space for children and families, where every object has a story waiting to be told. Explore shelves of odd and intriguing treasures: curious old photographs, strange trinkets, and mysterious finds you can touch, examine, and imagine into life.
Thursday 19 February 11.00
Age 7+ Dungeon Runners
​
Hear about how the Dungeon Runners series was created, design your own character and enter into a puzzle-filled dungeon! Will you manage to beat the boss, win the loot and survive?
Thursday 19 February 14.30
Age 3+ Wander, a Mindful Journey in Nature
​
Step into the woods with Lizzie Boynton, local author and Forest School leader, as she shares her brand-new children’s book Wander.
Saturday 21 February 10.00
For all children: Tales from the Wishing Tree
​
Gather with us for some magical tales from The Wishing Tree— a place where dreams turn into stories and every leaf holds a little adventure. From talking animals to brave explorers and giggling fairies, the Wishing Tree shares tales full of wonder, kindness, and imagination.
Saturday 21 February 13.00
Age 5+ The Island's BIGGEST poem
Join Isle of Wight poet and publisher Lottie Begg for a lively, interactive session where words truly take flight! Together, we’ll be creating the Island’s biggest poem ever – and everyone, big or small, gets to add their own line or two.
Saturday 21 February 12.00
Age 9+ Island at the Edge of Night
Join award-winning children’s author Lucy Strange as she shares the secrets behind her thrilling mystery The Island at the Edge of Night. We’ll explore Lucy’s sources of inspiration and get a sneaky peek into her creative process. There'll be some top tips for young writers along the way too, so bring your imaginations as you’ll be coming up with ideas for your very own island-based thriller!
Thursday 19 February 11.30
Age 10+ Movie Make Up & Horror Effects
​
Explore the horrors of movie make-up in a "hands on" workshop to make your own horrific cuts, bruises, bullet holes and effects seen in films.
Friday 20 February 13.30
Age 5+ Roll your own Cryptid
​
Pop in for some quiet folding fun and learn to make a number of wonderful paper creatures! Want to make a frog? A penguin? Five dinosaurs?! We’ve got the paper, so all you need to bring is your hands!
Saturday 21 February 13.00
Age 4+ Hot Food, Nice!
​
An interactive read through of Neal's latest collaboration with Michael Rosen - Hot Food: Nice! - with live illustrations and a draw-a-long - to help inspire the young illustrators of the future.
Friday 20 February 11.45
Age 5+ Our Folktastic Isle - Mythical Story Maps
​
Find out about New Carnival’s theme for 2026 - Our Folktastic Isle - Stories Myths and Legends! Explore some well known and lesser known island based tales on our giant IOW folk stories map then use them as your inspiration to create a mythical fantasy story map of your own to take home!
Thursday 19 February 11.00
Age 10+ Ukrainian Paws and Whiskers on the Island
​
Join writer Olha Bereza and artist Yana Barabash for a lively, heartwarming session based on their charming new book! Discover the story behind its creation — from Yana’s colourful pictures to Olha’s playful words — and hear funny real-life tales about pets who travelled all the way from Ukraine to their new homes on the Isle of Wight.
Saturday 21 February 16.15
Age 8 + Mortal Engines: Bridge of Storms
​
Mortal Engines, Philip Reeve’s epic adventure set in a world of mobile cities, was first published 25 years ago. From that first book a whole elaborate world has evolved, with hundreds of characters spread across ten books, and a film adaptation produced by Peter Jackson. Recently, Philip has returned to the world of Traction Cities in Thunder City, and its newly-published sequel, Bridge of Storms. Join him to hear about the origins of this modern classic of adventure, and get a glimpse of where the series may go in future.
Saturday 21 February 12.15
Age 5 + Adventuremice
​
Meet story legends Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre to explore the world of the Adventuremice! Listen as they read from the latest book – AdventureMice: Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth – and learn how to draw one of their brave little characters. Brainstorm ideas with them to invent a whole new story. Interactive fun for the whole family.
Thursday 19 February 15.00
Age 5 + Billy The Brave
​
Failing to heed the warning of the older goats, the greener, juicier grass on the edge of the forest calls to Billy. Slipping away and enjoying the fresh clover all on his own, he fails to notice when the goat herder takes the goats back to the farm at the end of the day.
A mixture of live acting, puppetry, rhyme, music with live musicians, and dancing as we tell our funny story.
Thursday 19 February 13.00
Age 7 + The Moonhaven Chronicles
​
Set out on a thrilling adventure in this dazzling event brimming with mystery, full moons and werewolves! In superstar Rob Biddulph’s spine-tingling new book, the legend of the werewolf is thrillingly reimagined.
Have your pencils ready for a live version of one of Rob's famous 'Draw with Rob’ episodes.
Saturday 21 February 12.15
Age 4 + Grumpycorn!
​
Unicorn wants to write the most fabulous story in the world. He has a fancy notebook. A special fluffy pen. He has everything just perfect. But Unicorn has NO IDEA what to write! Join author-artist Sarah McIntyre for an exciting story session, then learn how to design your own book cover and come up with a story! Fun for kids - and also adults who fight procrastination.
Saturday 21 February 11.45
For all ages: Indian Classical Dance Workshop
​
Join us for an exploration of storytelling through Indian classical dance! Discover the of hand gestures (mudras), facial expressions, body postures, and footwork in this ancient art form. This interactive session welcomes all ages, regardless of experience, to learn how these techniques apply to modern arts. Together, we will create a short dance performance to contemporary music for you to take home and cherish.
​
Thursday 19 February 13.00
Age 7+ Astrosaurs, Mission to Infinity!
​
Steve Cole leads his audience on a laugh-a-minute, high energy, ukulele-accompanied master class in telling stories. He will share quick-and-easy ways to invent story ideas and share secret writing tips. He’ll even reveal the secret origins of characters such as the much-loved Astrosaurs – dinosaurs in space – now back in their own graphic novel.
Friday 20 February 13.00
Age 4 + Shadow Lands
​
Make some shadow puppets and use them to tell a story In this session, we’ll provide the screen, light and card – you provide the imagination, the drawings, the cutting skills and the hands to hold the puppets. This will be an ideal session for families to create a tiny tale together, or for two or three friends to collaborate – it could be based on a tale you know or be a completely new tiny tale.
Thursday 19 February 11.45
Age 4+ Enchanted Mask Making
An imaginative making space where children are invited to take their time, immerse themselves, and create an enchanted mask or accessory to perfectly complete their costume for the Story Festival's dress-up day, using beautiful, pre-loved materials.
Friday 20 February 11.45
Age 8+ Sam the Sandown Clown Badge Making
This is a fun, flexible badge-making session inspired by the weird and wonderful local story of Sam the Sandown Clown, also known as All Colours Sam!