Latest Events in Taunton(May Updated)

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival Join author and illustrator, Tom McLaughlin to celebrate the release of the second instalment in his graphic novel series, Alan, King of the Universe - a side-splittingly funny adventures about a cat born with opposable thumbs and bent on world domination. Tom will teach children how to create comic strips and how to draw some of the characters from his laugh-out-loud graphic novel. Suitable for budding artists aged 7 + years Paper and pencils will be provided but children are encouraged to bring their own sketch books and pencils/pens. The Child Book & Ticket bundle includes a copy of Alan, King of the Universe: Today, I Will Rule All! (RRP £12.99) , available for collection at the event. Please especially note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult but parents/guardians accompanying their children to this workshop do not require a ticket (one accompanying adult per child with ticket.) The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival You are invited to join bestselling children's authors Emma Carroll ( Dracula & Daughters ) and Anna James ( Alice With a Why ) as they come together to talk about their extraordinary new novels, and to explore where the ideas for their novels come from, and how they create their magical worlds and fantastic characters. You will also have the chance to put questions to Emma and Anna during this special event. Suitable for ages 8+ Emma Carroll is the author of many books for children including, Letters from the Lighthouse and Secrets of a Sun King . She was once told by the poet Ted Hughes her writing was 'dangerous', it took her twenty years of teaching English and a life-changing cancer diagnosis to feel brave enough to give her dream of being an author a try. Nowadays, she's a bestselling writer, and has been nominated for and the winner of numerous national, regional and schools’ awards - including the Books Are My Bag Readers' Award, Branford Boase, CILIP Carnegie Medal, Young Quills, Teach Primary and the Waterstones Book Prize. Emma's home is in the Somerset hills with her husband and two terriers. She still can't believe her luck that she gets to write dangerous books for a living. Anna James is a writer and journalist from Northumberland. She is the author of the internationally bestselling children’s fantasy series Pages & Co , the Chronicles of Whetherwhy and Alice With a Why , a return to Wonderland. Formerly a school librarian and literary scout, Anna is also an arts journalist. She previously was Book News Editor at The Bookseller and Literary Editor for ELLE UK and now covers books and theatre on a freelance basis. She’s a regular chair for literary events, and is the co-curator and host of the LUSH Book Club. Anna hosts the Bookwandering podcast where she speaks with other creatives about their most beloved books for young people and currently lives in north London. You can find her @acaseforbooks across social media. The book and ticket options include Alice With a Why (RRP £7.99) or Dracula & Daughters (RRP £7.99), which will be available for collection at the event. Please note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult (who must also purchase a ticket) in order to gain entry to the venue and to remain in the venue for the duration of the performance. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry to unaccompanied ticket holders who are 16 years of age and under. The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival We are delighted to be joined by BAFTA-winning and OSCAR-nominated writer, director, animator, and illustrator, Mikey Please as he joins for this exciting event to present his Waterstones Book Prize winning and Waterstones Book of the Year winning picture book, The Café at the Edge of the Woods and the gloriously gruesome follow-up, The Cave Downwind of the Café . Suitable for ages 6+ Mikey will introduce you to his gloriously sweet and funny characters from The Café at the Edge of the Woods and The Cave Downwind of the Café; including Rene, the chef who is hoping to serve the finest cuisine at her new café at the edge of the woods. We will also meet newfound waiter and ogre, Glumfoot who’s quick-thinking saves the day when the locals who have a most peculiar palette, start requesting all sorts of disgusting things. Mikey Please is a Bristol-based BAFTA-winning and OSCAR-nominated writer, director, animator, and illustrator. An alumnus of the Royal College of Art (MA Animation) his music videos and short films have garnered over 60 international awards. In 2023 he was appointed as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Café at The Edge of the Woods , his critically acclaimed debut picture book was winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Book of the Year 2025. Right now - 2025 - he’s busy writing books, scripts, developing animation and helping shepherd The Expanded Earth (Corsair) , his TIMES bestselling debut novel, out into the world. The book and ticket options include The Café at the Edge of the Woods (RRP £7.99) and The Cave Downwind of the Café (RRP £14.99), which will be available for collection at the event. Please note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult (who must also purchase a ticket) in order to gain entry to the venue and to remain in the venue for the duration of the performance. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry to unaccompanied ticket holders who are 16 years of age and under. The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival Join beloved author and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho , and amazing illustrator Fiona Lumbers to celebrate the joy of sport! They’ll share their latest Luna adventure, Luna Loves Sport – the sixth in the Luna Loves series – and show how you don’t need to be the best to enjoy trying new sports. suitable for ages 3-5 years Please note: the book and ticket option includes a copy of Luna Loves Sport (RRP £12.99) available for collection at the event. Please especially note that children must be accompanied by an adult (who must also purchase a ticket) in order to gain entry to the venue and to remain in the venue for the duration of the performance. The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival Join Dog, T-Rex, Mermaid, Penguin and lots of That’s not my… friends for this sensory storytelling adventure for little ones. Led by our incredible professional storyteller with fun songs, bubbles and more - it will be SO MUCH fun! Suitable for 6 months+ The Child Book & Ticket bundle includes a copy of That’s Not My Hippo (RRP £6.99) , available for collection at the event. Please especially note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult but parents/guardians accompanying their children to this storytime event do not require a ticket (one accompanying adult per child with ticket.) The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival Join award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate for a story time and crafting event to celebrate the release of The Butterfly House – a stunning new picture book by Harry that shines a light on mental health, and how kindness, community and gardening can help heal the body and mind. Harry will introduce everyone to their gentle picture book before leading a simple crafting exercise, making your very own butterfly. Suitable for budding artists aged 3-5 years The Child Book & Ticket bundle includes a copy of The Butterfly House (RRP £7.99), available for collection at the event. Please especially note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult but parents/guardians accompanying their children to this storytime event do not require a ticket (one accompanying adult per child with ticket.) The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite

Waterstones Children’s Book Festival In the wonderful World Cup year of 2026, grab your boots and get ready for kick off. Join author of the award-winning Unbelievable Football series, Matt Oldfield and take a trip around the world of football and discover the most unbelievable moments from the truly global game. From incredible footballers to the history of the game on each of the five continents, this event is packed full of true stories. Suitable for children aged 7+ The book and ticket option includes a copy of Unbelievable Football: World of Football (RRP £7.99), which will be available for collection at the event. Please note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult (who must also purchase a ticket) in order to gain entry to the venue and to remain in the venue for the duration of the performance. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry to unaccompanied ticket holders who are 16 years of age and under. The event may be filmed and photographed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about this event or if you have access requests, please do let us know how we can support your visit by emailing events@waterstones.com Information Source: Waterstones | eventbrite