In 2026, First Draft Books launched the inaugural Bovey Book Fest, a day that celebrates the joy of stories with young readers. At our Speaker Venue, hundreds of families joined us for interactive drawing and writing sessions, plus book signings, with award-winning authors and illustrators from across the country: Reeve & McIntyre, Mikey Please, Serena Patel, Zohra Nabi and Neill Cameron.
Over at our Community Venue, visitors enjoyed bookish crafts, writing games, local author story time and delicious treats from the Bovey Tracey Cricket Club.
Thanks to all the families, authors & illustrators, volunteers, vendors and supporters who made our inaugural children’s book festival so special. We can’t wait to see you in 2027. Save the date for Saturday, 13 March 2027. Follow us on social media to be among the first to hear any announcements.
Speaker Venue
Our five brilliant authors and illustrators wowed our audience of young readers. From board games made in real time to goblin draw-alongs and audience-generated donuts to pet characters and creepy new stories, our guests stretched their imaginations.
Thanks to our inaugural authors & illustrators: Reeve & McIntyre, Mikey Please, Serena Patel, Zohra Nabi and Neill Cameron, and to Friends of Bovey Library.
Community Venue
Housed on the grounds of Bovey Tracey’s lovely Cricket Club, our Community Venue buzzed with creative energy. Guests made book worms & lion reading buddies. They listened to stories from our local authors. They helped us write a story with a silly game of Consequences. And they picked up a goodie bag full of reading inspiration.
Thanks to The Anywhere Book Club, Bovey Tracey Library, Pom Stitch Tassel, Bovey Tracey Cricket Club, and the featured local authors: Joshua Hunt, Claire Brown, Luke Marchant, Erin Allgrove, Jenny Moore, Clive PiG, Anthea Simmons & Anne Parsons.
