“I wouldn’t take children again, it was too much fun.” – a Dubai teacher after Andy's last visit

Andy Stanton, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, returns to Dubai with the latest news of Mr Gum, Polly and the other eccentric inhabitants of Lamonic Bibber. What twisted plots is Mr Gum cooking up to put an end to children, fun and corn on the cob? This is the place to find out.

Language: English

Age Group: 6+

Where do authors get their ideas from? In Tanya Landman’s case, the Sam Swann’s Movie Mystery series, beginning with Zombie Dawn!!!, was inspired by her famous actor uncle (Robert Shaw, of Jaws fame) and his stories of movie set life. Tanya will show some pictures of behind-the-scenes life in Hollywood and then help you find the best source of inspiration in your own life!

The tutor: Tanya Landman is the author of the Sam Swann’s Movie Mystery series, the Merlin series, and the Carnegie-winning Buffalo Soldier, among many others. Her most recent novel is Hell and High Water. She is a passionate advocate of the power of reading and writing to develop empathy and imagination.

Language: English

Age Group: 8-12

The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain’s Bake Me a Story provides a new twist on fairy tale favourites – by matching them with her recipes so that parents and children can bake together!

In this enchanting storytelling session, Nadiya will share her take on classic tales, with stories including the ‘The Gingerbread Guy’, ‘Jack and the Bean-Patty Stalk’, and ‘Ruby-Red and the Three Bears’.

And what about a demonstration of our favourite baker’s showstopping talent? Nadiya will decorate a Gingerbread Guy on stage and then children will receive a gingerbread man of their own to take home!

When life unravels, only love can stitch you back together…

Jonny has a faulty heart and his time is running out. Niamh has just lost her twin brother in a tragic accident. When Jonny tracks down Niamh to find out more about her brother, the first owner of his heart, he doesn’t plan on falling in love…

Tamsyn Murray is a popular writer of children’s and YA books and a writing tutor for aspiring authors. Her brand new book, Instructions for a Second-hand Heart, has met with rave reviews. Dealing with grief, guilt and the unpredictability of love, it is a thrilling ride of suspense and heartbreak – don’t miss this chance to hear about the inspiration for this story from the author herself.

Tamsyn’s previous novels include the critically-acclaimed YA series My So Called Afterlife and the Completely Cassidy and Tanglewood Animal Park series for younger readers.

Language: English

Age Group: 12+

Take a journey of songwriting in this talk and workshop by Sharif Al Maghraby. ‘Transformed by Music’ is an inspirational talk blending music, creativity, self-discovery and insights about how art can lead us to becoming better versions of ourselves. Sharif will follow the talk with practical songwriting activities to help you start writing your next hit – just bring your imagination!

The tutor: Sharif Al Maghraby is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who has been playing and performing his original music for more than 20 years. He co-founded the acoustic fusion band Dahab, who released two albums and performed to thousands in Dubai, Cairo and Bahrain; his new progressive blues band BluShaman is working on their first album.

Language: English

Age Group: 16-25

When anyone asks her, “What do you want to be?” she replies, ''I want to be a Turtle''.

Most young girls might say they want to be a doctor, or a vet, or an actress – why does this young girl want to be a turtle?

Join this interactive session with writer Amal Farah to find out!

Amal Farah won the 2016 Etisalat Award for Children's Books in the Best Text category. A writer for children and young adults and founder of Shagara Publishing, her other books include Girl’s Diary, The Monster, and Kangaroo.

Language: Arabic

Age Group: 6+

This Book is Out of Control! is the latest ‘fourth wall-breaking’ book to star Bella, Ben, their dog and a book that frankly has no idea how to behave itself. As in This Book Just Ate My Dog and We’re in the Wrong Book, things are just going to get sillier unless the young reader can save them! A hilarious, interactive session featuring live drawing by this amazing illustrator.

Richard Byrne, who is also author and illustrator of This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye, The Great Moon Confusion and more, will take children and parents on a fun-filled trip into his wild imagination.

Language: English

Age Group: 4+

Julia Johnson’s stories have been met with widespread acclaim for how well they capture the people, places and wildlife of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf. In this session, Julia will revisit some of the inspirations for her writing, and will introduce fans to her latest captivating story of Arabian life: The Old Man and His Donkey.

Language: English

Age Group: 6+

Can you have food allergies and still have fun? Of course you can, but for children it can be a hard adjustment, leaving them feeling excluded and isolated. When Priyanka Talwar’s son was diagnosed with allergies, she was inspired to write You Can’t Always Tell to help the millions of other parents and children affected by showing children that they can be safe but still be involved. Join Priyanka for a fascinating talk and interactive family session.

Language: English

Age Group: 4+

'Sana's a real-life superhero.'' – President Barack Obama

As Marvel’s Director of Content Development, Sana Amanat is charged with developing new characters and content for a diverse audience of comic readers, young and old. And as co-creator of Kamala Khan, the instantly-beloved Muslim superhero Ms Marvel, she has already made a Hulk-sized impact!

This is a chance to learn more about Sana, Kamala, and the latest exciting developments in Marvel’s all new, all-different superhero universe.

Language: English, with simultaneous Arabic translation

Age Group: 12-Adult

When the Story Maker comes to the village on her bicycle, everyone comes to find out what her story is. As she walks around the village and tells her stories in her loud voice and the laughter spreads along the road, the children of the village gather around her.

Join Sahar Naja Mahfouz in this interactive reading session and listen to the Story Maker’s stories.

Sahar writes for children to help them develop their personalities and accept others. Her books include The Story Maker, My Mother’s Suitcase, Sounds and Noises and Rain Drops.

Language: Arabic

Age Group: 6+

It’s time to announce the winners of the 2017 Oxford University Press Short Story Competition, and who better to present the award to the UAE’s newest literary icons than the author of the Unicorn in New York series, Rachel Hamilton.

Following the prize giving, Festival favourite Rachel will take us on a side-splitting storytelling adventure with her third tale about Louie, the showstopping unicorn who leaves his idyllic life in Story Land for the somewhat grimier charms of New York, where he enrols at the School of Performing Arts and begins his journey to become a legend of the stage! What misadventures are in store next for the eternally optimistic Louie? This is the place to find out!

Prizewinners will be invited to attend the following session, ‘Unicorn in New York’ for free.

Let’s prepare the main ingredients to cook up a story! Join Maitha Al Khayat in this active workshop to create the characters, build up a plot and write your story. Every child will leave with their own cooked story to take home and devour!

The tutor: Maitha Al Khayat is an Emirati author and illustrator of several children’s picture books including I Love My Mum’s Pretty Veil, Two Whales and When a Camel Craves Logaimat.

Language: Arabic

Age Group: 8-12

It’s time to announce the winners of the 2017 Oxford University Press Short Story Competition, and who better to present the award to the UAE’s newest literary icons than the author of the Unicorn in New York series, Rachel Hamilton.

Following the prize giving, Festival favourite Rachel will take us on a side-splitting storytelling adventure with her third tale about Louie, the showstopping unicorn who leaves his idyllic life in Story Land for the somewhat grimier charms of New York, where he enrols at the School of Performing Arts and begins his journey to become a legend of the stage! What misadventures are in store next for the eternally optimistic Louie? This is the place to find out!

Prizewinners will attend this session for free.

Language: English, with simultaneous Arabic translation

Age Group: 7-Adult

Horrid Henry is a phenomenon – more than 20 million books starring Francesca Simon’s mischievous trickster have been sold, in 25 languages.

As the series comes to a close with Horrid Henry’s Cannibal Curse, we ask: what makes Henry and his antics so compelling? Come and hear Francesca reveal how she puts badness to good use – and how Henry, inevitably, took on a life of his own.

Language: English

Age Group: 6+

Little Amal broke free from the laziness monster and escaped to the ideas garden to write her thoughts! You can escape your own monster when you register for this workshop and learn how to write a story. Discover what kind of monster is chasing you – is he scary looking, is he nice or naughty, and how will your character get rid of him?

Learn how to create the hero of your story, what kind of adventure to send them on and how they will defeat the monster, in a workshop that will open your imagination and improve your writing skills. You will finish the workshop with the first draft of your new story.

The tutor: Amal Farah is an author of books for children and young adults and the founder of Shagara Publishing. Her books include Girl’s Diary, The Monster, Kangaroo and I Want to be a Turtle, which won the Etisalat Award for Children’s Books in the Best Text category in 2016.

Language: Arabic

Age Group: 8-12

The Taaleem Poetry Award celebrates young poets. This year’s prize will be presented by Carnegie Award-winning children’s author and poet Kevin Crossley-Holland and Emirati children's author and journalist Shaima Al Marzooqi.

Prizewinners will be invited to attend the following session, ‘Vikings and Arthurian Knights’ for free.

Language: Arabic, English with simultaneous translation

Age Group: 9-Adult

The Taaleem Poetry Award celebrates young poets, and for this year’s prize giving we are joined by Carnegie Award-winning children’s author and poet Kevin Crossley-Holland, speaking about the ancient journeys of history, myth and legend.

The ancient world was one of epic voyages and treks, where pilgrims ventured into lands unknown. From King Arthur to Viking explorers to medieval villagers taking their first steps into a larger world, Kevin’s characters take life-changing journeys and will definitely have something to teach readers and writers who are beginning their own.

Prizewinners will attend this session for free.

Language: English

Age Group: 9-Adult

Join this interactive session with children’s author and Festival favourite Maitha Al Khayat, in which she reads from My Mum’s Pretty Veil: a story of the love between children and their mothers.

Maitha Al Khayat, Emirati children author and illustrator, has published number of children books including I love my dad’s long beard, Two Whales and others. She enjoys school visits, reading for children and children’s activities.

Language: Arabic

Age Group: 6+

Richard Byrne, author and illustrator of This Book Just Ate My Dog, We’re in the Wrong Book and This Book is Out of Control is coming to Dubai to show 15 lucky children how to draw his beloved characters, Ben and Bella.

Richard will read one of his fantastic books before helping participants create their very own artwork to take home.

The tutor: Richard Byrne is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books, including the 2013 Oxfordshire Book Award-winning The Really, Really, Really Big Dinosaur, The Great Moon Confusion, Millicent and Meer and This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye. He started out working in graphic design but found that inventive, funny children’s books were his true calling.

All materials provided. Adult helpers may accompany for free!

Language: English

Age Group: 5-8