Everything You Need to Know About the Likkle Lit Fest - New Children's Literature Festival in Yorkshire

Have you ever read a book with characters that feel so real you wish you could meet them? Or maybe you have a story in your head and just need a little help getting it onto the page. Well, something really exciting is happening in Leeds. A brand new, day-long festival called the Likkle Lit Fest is coming to town, and it's dedicated to celebrating Black literature for children and young adult readers. It's a chance for the whole family to get lost in amazing stories, meet talented writers and illustrators, and even get creative. The festival is packed with workshops and events that bring the magic of reading and storytelling to life for everyone from the littlest kids to teenagers.

Image: Likkle Lit Fest will include intergenerational storytelling sessions. (credit David Lindsay).

So what’s the big idea behind the Likkle Lit Fest?

This isn't just any book event. The Likkle Lit Fest is the first of its kind on this scale in Yorkshire, putting a big spotlight on incredible Black writers, illustrators, and their stories. Let's be honest, it's brilliant when you pick up a book and see characters that look and feel like you and your mates. That's a huge part of what this festival is all about. It’s a space where history, modern tales, and fantastic adventures are told by the people who know them best. This celebration of Black storytelling is for absolutely everyone to enjoy.

Susan Pitter, a co-founder of Out of Many People CIC who are running the event, puts it perfectly:

“This is about our history, stories and characters, told by Black writers, brought to life by Black illustrators, and to be enjoyed by everyone.”

And it couldn’t come at a better time. With 2026 set to be the National Year of Reading, getting young people excited about books is more important than ever. The organisers know that sometimes, young people drift away from reading. The solution? Finding stories and characters they can connect with. That's the mission of this Lit Fest. Dawn Cameron, another founder, said:

“We know the number of young people reading books is declining and the best way of tackling this is by telling stories and highlighting characters they can relate to – and that’s exactly what Likkle Lit Fest does.”

This literature festival is a fantastic way to encourage a new generation of readers.

A jam-packed day of stories and creativity

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 14. The whole festival takes place at the brilliant Leeds Central Library, which will be buzzing with activity all day long. This is way more than just sitting quietly and reading a book. The day is filled with things to do for children and young people of all ages. Think interactive workshops where you can draw your own characters, a bustling marketplace full of crafts and books, and even sessions on creating poetry from recycled stuff. It’s a proper celebration of the written and spoken word.

The line-up of talent is seriously impressive. You've got big-name writers, award-winning illustrators, and amazing storytellers all in one place. Whether you're a parent with a toddler who loves a good picture book or a teenager who's into graphic novels and fantasy, there is something for you. The whole event is designed to get young readers, and even adult readers, fired up about the world of literature.

Here’s just a little taste of who will be there:

• Salomey Doku: A Leeds-based author-illustrator who worked on Sir Lenny Henry’s picture book series.

• Ashley Thorpe: A fantasy author who creates epic worlds of magic and heroes.

• Selina Brown: The founder of the Black British Book Festival and a celebrated children’s author.

• Dapo Adeola: An award-winning illustrator and character designer running draw-along workshops.

• Athena Kugblenu: A writer and comedian hosting a hilarious, interactive game show.

Meet the writers and illustrators

Getting to meet an author or an illustrator is a brilliant experience. At the Likkle Lit Fest, children and young people can do just that. The sessions are designed to be hands-on and inspiring. For the really young ones (ages 3+), author Trish Cooke and illustrator Ken Wilson Max are hosting a workshop based on their book Catch!, bringing their stories and characters right off the page. Meanwhile, Selina Brown will be reading from her laugh-out-loud picture book, My Rice is Best, a tale about food, friendship, and culture for 3-7 year olds.

For kids who love to draw, award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola is running two separate sessions. One is a story time and draw-along for 5-7 year olds, and the other is a special workshop for 11-15 year olds on how to draw superheroes and anime-style characters. How cool is that? Local Leeds talent Salomey Doku is also running workshops. She'll be focusing on her illustrations for Sir Lenny Henry's Tyrone picture books (for 4-8 year olds) and giving a masterclass for young adult readers on creating your own graphic novel, inspired by her Brielle & Bear story.

If you're looking for something the whole family can do, comedian Athena Kugblenu is hosting The Museum Of Epic Fails Game Show. It's an interactive show packed with jokes and interesting facts from history. For aspiring writers aged 9-13, fantasy author Ashley Thorpe will talk about his book Spirit Warriors and answer questions about what it takes to become a professional writer. And for a bit of rhythm, fabian m thomas will lead a lively dub poetry workshop with drumming, inspired by his book Djembe.

More than just a book festival

The fun at this Leeds festival doesn't stop with the writers and illustrators. There’s a whole host of other things happening around the library. A family-friendly Black Artisan Marketplace will have stalls with arts, crafts, and of course, lots of books to buy. It’s a great chance to discover some new favourites and support local creators.

The National Poetry Centre is also getting involved with its 'Rubbish Words' session. This is a brilliant, drop-in activity where everyone is invited to make cool poetry collages out of old, discarded print materials. It’s all about playing with words and telling your own stories in a new way. Nick Barley from the National Poetry Centre said it’s "loads of fun – so much so that grown-ups will want to get involved too." This focus on poetry adds another exciting layer to the Lit Fest.

Plus, there will be a special corner dedicated to Anansi, the legendary spider from African and Caribbean folklore, thanks to the British Library. And for even more storytelling, Bredda Ansell’s Jamboree will bring folktales to life with music and performance. This isn't just a book festival; it's a full-on cultural event celebrating Black stories.

Getting involved in the Likkle Lit Fest

This fantastic event is happening on Saturday, February 14, at Leeds Central Library. The best part? The main festival is free to attend. You can wander through the artisan market, join in the poetry crafting, and soak up the atmosphere without a ticket. It's a really accessible day out for everyone.

Some of the specific sessions with the writers and illustrators are ticketed, but they are run on an affordable 'pay as you can' basis. This makes sure that as many children and young people as possible can get the chance to be inspired by their favourite author or learn a new skill. It’s a wonderful initiative supported by organisations like Arts Council England and Leeds Libraries.

Councillor Asghar Khan from Leeds City Council summed up the spirit of the day:

“Reading is an absolute cornerstone of a child’s development, inspiring a unique curiosity and desire to find out more about the world around them which can last a lifetime.”

The Likkle Lit Fest is set to be a brilliant day that celebrates the power of storytelling and the importance of seeing yourself in the books you love. For more details and to book tickets for the special sessions, it's best to check out the official Out of Many People website.