Knights and Dames of the realm, stars of the screen and best-selling authors will attract thousands to the Barnes Children's Literary Festival this weekend.

The Festival promises a remarkable schedule of readings, interviews and entertainment for youngsters at venues across the area – with many already sold out

Judith's daughter Tacy Kneale will join with her mother's dear friends

Audiences from across the country will be visiting Barnes, which has been home to some of the world's most important figures in children's literature and the Arts.

For example, at St Mary's Barnes, on Saturday, there will be a celebration of the centenary of beloved Barnes resident Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog the Forgetful Cat, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and many more classics.

On Saturday, visitors can join author, actor and comedian Sir Lenny Henry for a fun filled event about his brilliantly funny, action-packed middle grade books, The Boy With Wings and The Book of Legends.

Judith's daughter Tacy Kneale will join with her mother's dear friends, the former Children's Laureates, Sir Michael Morpurgo, Lauren Child and Nicolette Jones, the children's books editor of The Sunday Times, to remember her remarkable life.

Also on Saturday, visitors can join author, actor and comedian Sir Lenny Henry for a fun filled event about his brilliantly funny, action-packed middle grade books, The Boy With Wings and The Book of Legends.

And on Sunday, Cressida Cowell, the former Children's Laureate, will arrive to celebrate the 20th anniversary of How To Train Your Dragon.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, who is a champion of the Festival, particular its work with schools, said: "I'm delighted to welcome everyone to the very special Barnes Children's Literature Festival.

"As a writer of children's books I have very fond memories of taking part in the Festival myself, and know it to be delightful, imaginative, innovative – and beautifully organised."

on Sunday, Cressida Cowell, the former Children's Laureate, will arrive to celebrate the 20th anniversary of How To Train Your Dragon.

The event was founded by Amanda Brettargh, who said: "The Barnes Children's Literature Festival brings the whole community together for one weekend to promote the power of reading, writing and creativity to more and more children every year from all over London and the UK.

"The Festival has transformed Barnes into the UK's capital of children's literature and it is a source of huge pride that we'll be the centre of the centenary celebrations of our beloved Judith Kerr and that so many of the world's favourite stories and poems were born here including The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Cat, Jan Pienkowski's Meg and Mog and Roger McGough's The Sound Collector."

Among the many famous names participating in the more than 100 events are The Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler and Lydia 'Ladybird' Monks, renowned cartoonist Chris Riddell, and the rock star historian and co-host of the popular The Rest Is History podcast, Tom Holland, will introduce his new children's book, The Wolf Girl, The Greeks and the Gods.

The stellar line-up also includes the British Book Award winners, S F Said and MG Leonard, Waterstones Children's Book Prize winners, Onjali Q Rauf and Hannah Gold, the author of the smash hit Escape Room, Christopher Edge, and the queen of historical fiction, Emma Carroll.

There's plenty of fun for non-fiction fans too including the superstar space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and brilliant autistic teenage author and environmentalist Dara McAnulty, palaeontology pro Dr Nick Crumpton and science educator Lucy Hawking.

This year's programme is packed with family friendly theatre performances including a brand-new event based on the extraordinary stories of Roald Dahl, a magical Pippi Longstocking show and a trip to the wacky world of The Wizard of Oz.

There are shows for the littlest book lovers too with Paddington Bear's First Concert, the Mr Men & Little Miss characters and everyone's favourite patchwork elephant, Elmer.

Children can get creative with comics, poetry writing, clay-mazing workshops with Aardman Animations, and there are lots of free things to do too.

The Festival is presented in partnership with the University of Roehampton and St Paul's School.

For more information and tickets - https://www.barneskidslitfest.org/