Fourbears Fest | Fourbears Books

Welcome!

Since opening in December 2020 events Fourbears Books has always been key to offer a wide range of events for customers. In October 2021 we hosted a mini festival of Children's authors appearing in the shop and we were really pleased with how the Festival went, except we wanted to go bigger. This year May 17th-19th we are organising the first Reading and Caversham Book Festival 2024. There are a range of events for Adults and Children in multiple venues for what is sure to be a fantastic weekend.

Events

There are loads of exciting events happening at Fourbears Fest this year. Take a look below to see what we have coming up.

Fest-Events

Fri, 16 May
Robin Ince - Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal
Queen Anne's School
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16 May 2025, 19:00 – 20:30
Queen Anne's School, 6 Henley Rd, Reading RG4 6DX, UK
The brilliant Robin Ince returns to Fourbears Fest, this time to discuss his new book Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal.
Sat, 17 May
Rose Lihou - Tiny Dogs Series and Draw-along - Ages 5+
Caversham
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17 May 2025, 09:30 – 10:30
Caversham, Caversham Baptist Church, 1 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JB, UK
If you are a fan of animals and want to learn to draw like Rose then come along to this super session.
Sat, 17 May
Neill Cameron - Draw-along session - Perfect for ages 8+
Caversham
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17 May 2025, 11:00 – 11:45
Caversham, Caversham Baptist Church, 1 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JB, UK
Back by popular demand, illustrator Neill Cameron returns to celebrate his brand new book, The Donut Squad. Come along to this fun draw-along session.
Sat, 17 May
Sophy Henn Graphic Novel - Draw-along - Ages 6+
Caversham
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17 May 2025, 13:00 – 14:00
Caversham, Caversham Baptist Church, 1 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JB, UK
Happy Hills is the brand new series from bestselling, award winning author Sophy Henn. Come along for a graphic draw-along session
Sat, 17 May
Crime Panel - Kate Wells, Stuart Turton and Tom Hindle
Reading
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17 May 2025, 14:00 – 15:00
Reading, Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL, UK
Three brilliant, but very different Crime authors have a chat about their books, the genre, and anything else that comes up
Sun, 18 May
Reading Rep - Teddy Bear Story time with Reading Rep - 18 Months - 4 years old
Caversham
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18 May 2025, 10:00 – 11:00
Caversham, 20 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JG, UK
Older siblings are welcome! An interactive storytelling session with song, dance and sensory play!
Sun, 18 May
Curtis Chin - Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant : A Memoir
Reading
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18 May 2025, 12:00 – 13:00
Reading, Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL, UK
Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant is both a memoir and an invitation: to step inside one boy's childhood oasis, scoot into a vinyl booth, and grow up with him-and perhaps even share something off the secret menu.
Sun, 18 May
Amy Jeffs - Saints : Medieval Legends of Heroes, Humans and Magic
Reading
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18 May 2025, 14:00 – 15:00
Reading, Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL, UK
In this beautiful book, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain uncovers and analyses the strange and wonderful legends of saints and what they tell us about the medieval world
Sun, 18 May
Creating Writing Workshop with Iszi Lawrence - Ages 9+
Caversham
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18 May 2025, 14:00 – 15:00
Caversham, 20 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JG, UK
Bestselling author Iszi Lawrence is coming to Fourbears Fest for a creative writing workshop. Perfect for ages 9+ who have always wanted to write the perfect adventure. Iszi is here to inspire, guide and entertain you.
Sun, 18 May
Two Rivers Press - Poetry Special
Reading
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18 May 2025, 16:00 – 17:00
Reading, Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL, UK
Local Publisher Two Rivers Press showcase some of the best poets around as part of Fourbears Fest 25

Events

Fest-Contact

Get in touch

If you've got a question about the festival or one of the events, get in touch using the form below. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Events

Thanks!

Fest-Thanks

A HUGE thanks to our partners who helped to make this event possible. Have a look below to find out more about these wonderful organisations.

Progress Theatre

Progress Theatre is Reading's oldest producing theatre, volunteer-led, performing a varied and exciting calendar of theatre including the best new plays, classics, and new writing by Reading-based writers. Progress is also proud to host regular Jazz performances, comedy nights, art exhibitions, and now literary festivals!

The Reading Children’s Book Group

As part of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, RCBG are a testing group for the Children’s Book Award. They have both family and school members, and a wide network beyond that of people and organisations in the Reading area interested in children’s books. They have been running a regular family book group in the Fourbears Books shop since 2021. Chris Routh and Sarah Stuffins also have many years’ experience of providing a welcome in the Reading area for authors and illustrators through our membership of the FCBG. Additionally, Sarah is the current coordinator of the Children’s Book Award, and Chris is a previous coordinator of National Non-Fiction November.