Hundreds of schoolchildren gave author and poet Michael Rosen a loud welcome at the Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Literature Festival, cheering and applauding as he appeared at a special event in Blackburn.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
Rosen, best known for We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, had the children laughing as he introduced himself as “Michael Raisin” after his favourite food.
He hosted the event at the recently reopened Cotton Exchange, where children joined in with favourites including Chocolate Cake and Nice, knowing the words and actions too.
The 2026 festival is the ninth to be held in the borough and runs for two weeks until June 20, with free sessions and activities in libraries and schools across the area.
The festival was founded by Blackburn author Christina Gabbitas, who is a patron of Blackburn with Darwen Library Service. She works with the council’s library team and volunteers to deliver the event each year.
Christina said she had funded Rosen’s visit this year, along with 300 copies of his latest book, Ridiculous Raps and Rhymes, all signed by the author. She will be giving away copies in Darwen Library on Saturday, June 13, and Blackburn Library on Saturday, June 20, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Christina said:
“Michael certainly added the wow factor to this year’s festival. He was both very entertaining and gracious, and as we entered the building, there was an absolute roar from the audience.
“It was the most exciting and rewarding moment to see the smiles on the children’s faces and the audience participation, surpassing anything I could have imagined.
“It was an absolute pleasure to bring Michael Rosen to Blackburn.”
Council leader Coun Phil Riley said the welcome for Rosen was “absolutely phenomenal” and thanked Christina and everyone involved.
He said: “What a rock star welcome Michael Rosen got when he visited Blackburn – it was absolutely phenomenal!
“All of the children, many of whom have grown up reading his books, were excited to see him and it was a joy to watch them recite every word of his poems off by heart and perform all the actions too. Just brilliant.
“What an opportunity for them to meet such a famous author – an experience they will never forget, and us too – a big thank you to Christina and everyone involved.
“The council is proud to support the Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Literature Festival as it plays such an important role in encouraging young people to read.
“Everyone who was lucky enough to attend the event will have no doubt left feeling inspired.”
The 2026 programme also includes sessions with Christina Gabbitas, Iqbal Hussain, Hafiza Issa and illustrator Reyhana Ismail, alongside authors Sarah Surgey, Ben Davis, Donavan Christopher, Richard O’Neill, Oliver Sykes, Adisa, Dom Conlon, Dommy B and Ursula Hurst.
Angus Baskerville, star of Autism’s Got Talent, will also perform a magic show at the Hornby Theatre on Saturday, June 20.
The Children’s Library at Blackburn Central Library on Town Hall Street has also had a makeover, timed to coincide with the festival and the National Year of Reading celebrations.
A new Blackburn with Darwen Libraries website has also launched, with details of events, library services and digital resources including free e-books, audiobooks and language-learning courses.
Christina said she was grateful to Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Library Service, Darwen Town Council, Darwen Rotary, Lloyds Trust and CILIP Green Libraries, with National Lottery funding, for helping to fund the annual event.
She also thanked Andrew Orr and Adele Karwat from the Blackburn library team for their support and dedication over the past eight years.
Many of the festival’s events have already sold out.
More information is available at www.bwdlibraries.com.
