The Indie Children's Authors Network (ICAN) brings its Indie Children's Lit Fest to Kirklands Community Centre in Menston on Saturday 25 July - a free family day celebrating the UK's independent children's authors and illustrators.
Families can meet over a dozen independent authors and illustrators, browse and buy beautifully made picture books and children's fiction direct from the people who created them, and discover even more titles from ICAN's wider network of authors on display throughout the day.
The day features storytime sessions, a children's colouring area and live illustration, plus a special talk from James, founder of the Rebel Reading Society, who is travelling from Dorset to Yorkshire to deliver an encouraging talk for parents and carers of reluctant readers, packed with warmth and practical ideas for getting children excited about books.
The festival is organised by ICAN, the Indie Children's Authors Network, founded by Yorkshire author-illustrators Leanne Beardsley and Hannah Welch, who also run the Leeds based hybrid children's publishing house Cloudberry & Ink. ICAN champions independently published children's books, connecting a national community of creators with readers, booksellers and the wider industry, and reaches around 100,000 people monthly through its online community.
[Co-founders Hannah Welch and Leanne Beardsley]
Authors and illustrators are travelling from across the UK to take part, with some even flying in from overseas, including from Dubai, to join Yorkshire based creators at the festival.
Leanne Beardsley, ICAN co-founder, said:
"There is a whole world of gorgeous children's books being made outside the big publishers, and this festival is our way of putting them directly into families' hands. Authors and illustrators are travelling from across the UK and beyond to be here, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to Menston for a day full of stories, art and imagination."
Hannah Welch, ICAN co-founder, said:
"What makes this festival special is that every author and illustrator here has poured their heart into their books, and children get to meet the real people behind the stories. That connection is magical for young readers and we are so proud to be bringing it to our own corner of Yorkshire."
The festival is sponsored by Books & Bevs, the York based independent bookshop and cafe recently voted Best Independent Retailer in York 2026, which will be running book sales on the day.
The festival's artwork has been created by illustrator Jo Fernihough, author-illustrator of The Crow and the Peacock (Oxford University Press), who will also be at the festival on the day.
Entry to the festival is free and it runs from 10:30am until 3:30pm on Saturday at Kirklands Community Centre on Main Street in Menston, LS29 6HT.
Further information is available on the website: https://indiechildrensauthors.co.uk/lit-fest-2026
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