Corinne Bailey Rae Joins Likkle Lit Fest Line-up in Leeds

There’s some brilliant news for anyone in and around Leeds this weekend, especially if they love music, stories, and a bit of hometown magic. The one and only Corinne Bailey Rae, the city’s own international superstar, is making a special appearance at the brand-new Likkle Lit Fest.

The Grammy award-winning musician isn't just showing up to say hello; she’s there to share something completely new, her very first book for children. This is a huge deal for the festival, which is all about celebrating incredible Black writers and fantastic storytelling. It’s set to be a day packed with creativity, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun for families.

From a hit song to a picture book

Remember that song, ‘Put Your Records On’? Of course you do. It was a massive hit about 20 years ago, that perfect, sunny-day tune. Well, Corinne Bailey Rae has transformed her famous song into a beautiful debut picture book. The book, also called Put Your Records On, tells the story of a little girl named Bea. The story follows Bea as she discovers her great-aunt’s old record collection. Through the magic of music, she starts to learn about the world and, more importantly, about herself. It’s all about finding joy and connection through tunes, a message that’s just as important for kids today as it was when the song first came out. The book, which is aimed at kids aged 4-8, has been brought to life with illustrations by Gillian Eilidh O'Mara and officially hits the shelves on March 5.

The singer herself is clearly passionate about the project and its power to connect with young readers. She’s using her talent for storytelling to show children that music can be a true friend.

Bailey Rae said:

This book is about music and feelings. I wanted to share with children that every feeling they have ever felt has been expressed in a song. I wanted to tell them that music can be a friend. It can hold you, sit with you in any emotion, and help you to loosen feelings held inside. It is an honour to be joining a brilliant line-up of Black creators, and I'm delighted to be bringing Put Your Records On to Likkle Lit Fest and sharing the book with families in my hometown of Leeds.

What is the Likkle Lit Fest all about?

So, what’s the big idea behind the Likkle Lit Fest? It’s a new, all-day festival designed to shine a massive spotlight on Black literature for children and young adults. It’s a space for everyone, from the littlest kids and their families to teenagers looking for their next favourite read. The whole day is built around celebrating the amazing authors and illustrators who are creating these stories. It's a project run by the Leeds-based group Out of Many People as part of their Rooted series of events, which focuses on showcasing Black storytelling in all its forms. Getting the backing of Arts Council England has been a massive help in making it all happen. It’s a festival with a real purpose: to make sure everyone can see themselves in the pages of a book and to introduce readers to a world of brilliant stories they might not have found otherwise.

A line-up packed with talent

While having an international superstar like Corinne Bailey Rae is a massive draw, she’s not the only talent on the bill. The festival has gathered some of the most exciting authors and illustrators around. It’s a real showcase of creative power. Here are just a few of the names taking part:

• Salomey Doku: A Leeds-based author-illustrator who has worked with the legendary Sir Lenny Henry on his Tyrone children’s picture book series. She also creates her own teen graphic novels, including the Brielle and Bear series.

• Ashley Thorpe: For fans of epic adventures, fantasy writer Ashley Thorpe is a must-see. He’s the author behind thrilling books like The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors.

• Selina Brown: A children’s author and the incredible founder of the Black British Book Festival, Selina Brown is a key figure in championing Black writers across the country.

Having so many talented people in one place makes the Likkle Lit Fest a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet their heroes, get inspired, and maybe even start thinking about their own storytelling adventures. This celebration of Black writers and their work is a wonderful addition to the city's cultural calendar.

More than just reading

A literature festival is way more than just sitting quietly and listening to someone read a book. The Likkle Lit Fest is designed to be interactive, creative, and hands-on. On Saturday, February 14, Leeds Central Library will be buzzing with activity. There will be a whole range of things to do, ensuring there’s something for every age group. Visitors can expect interactive and fun family-friendly workshops led by some of the fantastic authors and illustrators. For those who like making things, the National Poetry Centre is running a crafting session where people can make their own poetry using recycled print. What a cool way to be creative and eco-friendly at the same time.

There’s also going to be a Black artisan marketplace, perfect for finding unique gifts and supporting local creators. Another highlight is the intergenerational storytelling, which is all about bringing different generations together to share tales and make a lasting connection. Many activities are free to drop into, but the sessions with specific writers and illustrators, including the one with the Grammy award-winning musician, are ticketed as 'pay as you can' events to keep them affordable for everyone.

A big moment for Leeds

Bringing an event like this to Leeds, with a homegrown talent like Corinne Bailey Rae at its centre, is a pretty big deal. It reinforces the city’s reputation as a cultural hub and shows a real commitment to celebrating diverse voices. Susan Pitter, the co-founder of Out of Many People CIC, shared her excitement about the event.

“We’re so excited that Corinne has agreed to take part in Likkle Lit Fest. She’s an international superstar who is famous around the world but has never forgotten her Leeds roots,” Susan said. “Corinne is an inspirational storyteller through her songs and now with her debut children’s book, Put Your Records On, she will no doubt inspire a whole new audience.”

The festival is a brilliant collaboration, made possible with funding from Arts Council England and in partnership with Leeds Libraries. The support from organisations like the Book Trust and British Library also shows just how important this celebration of storytelling is. It’s more than a one-day event; it's about building a legacy and inspiring the next generation of readers and creators.