Coventry Libraries Big Book Bash
The Coventry Libraries Big Book Bash is coming to The Transport Museum!
Tied into the National Year of Reading 2026, the Big Book Bash is a free event during the half term holiday, that welcomes children and young families. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in reading and literacy for some segments of the population. To revitalise the love and fun of reading, we have organised this fully packed day.
Taking place on Wednesday 28 October 2026, from 10am to 3.30pm
What to expect on the day
Author visit from Aaron Ashmore
A Coventry-based children’s author and entrepreneur. He writes books that bring Coventry’s history, characters and stories to life for children, including Lady Godiva’s Birthday Suit, Coventry: The Phoenix City and the Time Travelling Coventry Taxi series. Aaron has donated more than 12,000 of his books to schools across Coventry and regularly speaks to children about writing, creativity and the city they call home.
Aaron’s talk takes children behind the scenes of being an author - from coming up with ideas and turning Coventry’s history into stories, through to writing, illustrating and publishing a book. He’ll share stories and inspiration from his own books, explore where ideas come from, get the children involved with interactive storytelling and finish with a chance for them to ask questions about writing, books and becoming an author.
Author visit from Maria Motunrayo Adébísí
Maria Motúnráyọ̀ Adébísí is currently a PhD student at the University of Birmingham. As part of her degree she focuses on art from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. She hopes that her novel speaks to British children with African heritage and makes them proud of their culture.
Maria Motúnráyọ̀ will touch on themes such as the use of West African Mythology in her book, how it tackles themes of identity and belonging and what motivated her to create a character that is coming to terms with an illness (sickle cell anaemia). She will also discuss how she worked with illustrators Simone Douglas and Flavio B. Silva to bring the characters to life through the stunning illustrations featured in the book.
There will also be a Q&A so children can put their own questions to Maria.
Bookable Workshop timetable:
Yoga for Kids - 10am to 10.30am
- Fun ways to move your body into animal shapes
- 10 places available
- Ages - 4 to 7 year olds
Writers Workshop - midday to 12.45pm
- Maria Motunrayo Adébísí is the author of the award-nominated 'Kòkú Àkànbí' fantasy series, which brings West African mythology to life through exciting adventures for young readers. Her engaging stories celebrate imagination, culture and the joy of reading. Expect an interactive glow in the dark African Mythology workshop
- 80 places available
- Ages - 7yrs+ and families
FULLY BOOKED - Family Activities - 1pm to 1.45pm
- An activity session for families where both parents and children take part in fun games and relays
- 30 places available
- Ages - 2yrs+ and families
FULLY BOOKED - Yoga for Kids - 3pm to 3.30pm
- Fun ways to move your body into animal shapes
- 10 places available
- Ages - 8 to 12 year olds
Complete the Big Book Bash workshop registration form to book your places.
Partner stalls:
- Coventry Job Shop
- Adult Education
- Family Information Service
- Family hubs
- SOMA
- Foster Services
Free activities on the day include:
- Themed Storytimes and Rhyme times
- Free books give away
- 5 themed activities table (Comics, Music, Dinosaurs, languages, fictional characters)
- Face Painting
- Bingo
- Badgemaking
- Silent Disco