THE FIRST participants of this year's Stroud Book Festival have been revealed. 

To headline the 2024 children’s programme, Stroud Book Festival present Michael Rosen, much-loved author of numerous classic picture books including “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

They are also welcoming Rhianna Pratchett – daughter of the late Sir Terry Pratchett – and Gabrielle Kent for a very special Discworld event plus prolific, award-winning illustrator Nick Sharratt.

Also joining them are author/illustrator team, Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre and Julie Tatchell & Amanda Middleditch, the Teddy Bear Ladies from BBC’s “The Repair Shop”. 

The Schools’ Days for local primary schools will feature authors including Sufiya Ahmed, Louie Stowell and Ed Vere.

Their core 2024 programme for adults will get underway with a fund-raising “Glorious Gloucestershire” quiz, hosted by author and broadcaster, Mark Cummings.

Lovers of fiction can look forward to an event with Kate Mosse who makes a return to Stroud to talk about her latest novel, “The Map of Bones”.

Also returning to Stroud Book Festival is Max Porter who will be treating the audience to an unmissable Friday night performance based on his novel, “Shy”.

Across non-fiction, bestselling author and illustrator Amy Jeffs will present her glorious new book on the legends of medieval saints; revered nature writer Richard Mabey will join for a virtual event about his latest book, “The Accidental Garden”.  

Former Observer editor Will Hutton will discuss his latest book, “This Time No Mistakes”; and Stroud will hear from author and campaigner Guy Shrubsole about his new book, “The Lie of the Land”.

Ben Macintyre, author of “Agent Zigzag” will also discuss his latest book, “The Siege”.

It has also been announced that the Stroud Book Festival 2024 Guest Poet is the TS Eliot Prize-winning Anthony Joseph.

This year’s programme will also feature the announcement of the Laurie Lee Prizes for Writing 2024, as well as the latest event from Stroud Short Stories.

Stroud Book Festival Programme Director Caroline Sanderson said:“We are much looking forward to welcoming a host of fantastic authors to Stroud once again this November and to filling our town with the joy of books and reading”.

More Stroud Book Festival 2024 events will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets on sale from early September.

For further information, please see their Stroud Book Festival website: www.stroudbookfestival.org.uk.