Conference
The Federation’s annual conference, organised by one of our local children’s book groups in collaboration with the National Executive, takes place every year in spring, in different locations around the country.
All photos by David Bartlett
Talks, debates, seminars, workshops and exhibitions all feature at the conference which provides a great opportunity to hear authors and illustrators talk about their work, and to socialise with others who are passionate about children’s books and getting children reading.
FCBG Conference 2027
Our next conference ‘Uniting the World Through Books’ will be held 9th-11th April 2027 at Culford School, Bury St Edmunds.
With a world in turmoil, and unreliable digital content, books are more important than ever to help children and young people develop an understanding of other people, places and cultures. As well as promoting tolerance and empathy, books can help children explore the world from the classroom or home in an age appropriate way, through a diverse range of authors, illustrators and information books. Stories provide escape and solace in difficult situations, assuaging worries and broadening horizons.
Confirmed speakers include James Mayhew, Maz Evans, Mel Taylor-Bessent, Jennifer Bell, Margaret McDonald, Ian Eagleton, Kate Rolfe, Kate Wilson, Fleur Hitchcock, Clare Pollard, Denzell Dankwah, Cairo Aibangbee, Tamsin Winter, Nat Luurtsema, Emma Shevah, and our Patron, Jonathan Stroud.
Draft programme for FCBG conference 2027
Early bird booking is now open. Final date for early bird prices: Monday 25th January 2027
FCBG Conference 2027 Booking Form
Our lovely logo was created by Kate Rolfe.
FCBG Conference 2026
Books that Hook: Turning every child into a reader with the right book
The 2026 conference was held at Leighton Park School in Reading from 10th to 12th April.
Spea
kers included J.J. Arcanjo, Sufiya Ahmed, Holly Webb, Philip Kavvadias, Phil Earle, Sarah Crossan, Tia Fisher, Ella McLeod, Chris Mould, Ross Montgomery, Malcolm Duffy, Leonie Lord, Sophie Anderson, Susan Martineau, Leigh Hodgkinson, Samantha Lewis, Jon Lock, Nich Angel, Cat Weldon, Nene Lonergan, A.F. Harrold, Eve Wesocki Morris, Ed Vere and Jonathan Stroud. We celebrated a number of anniversaries with publishers, including 10 years of Little People, Big Dreams, Isadora Moon, Otter Barry Books, Fantastic Women with Kate Pankhurst, and the 15th anniversary of Nosy Crow along with the new Puffin Press imprint.
Our beautiful logo was created by Emma Carpendale