by Gudrun Bowers | 1, Apr 2020
The eagerly awaited sequel to the Costa Award winning Days Without End by one of Ireland’s greatest writers and current Irish Laureate.
A Thousand Moons extends the sequence of Barry’s eight novels, which touch each time on the worlds of two families – the Dunnes and the McNultys. In this novel, as in Days Without End, we meet with Thomas McNulty and John Cole, American Civil War soldiers, now a couple, living on a tobacco farm in Tennessee. Their adopted Sioux daughter Winona is the narrator this time, and we follow her journey as she deals with the consequences of a violent act against her. Full of memorable characters and written in Barry’s gorgeous lyrical prose, dreamy yet unflinching when confronted by the darker side of humanity, this is a wonderful book.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
Lucia Berlin’s collection of short stories, A Manual for Cleaning Women was published posthumously to great acclaim, and Evening in Paradise is a follow-up selection from Berlin’s remaining stories.
The stories are loosely autobiographical, arranged chronologically to follow the arc of Berlin’s life, and take us from a pair of seven year olds running a scam in El Paso, through the beauty and disillusionment of a young girl’s first romantic liaison, to young wives coping with kids, their husband’s addiction, abandonment, to a furious old woman on the roof of her own house while her family try to celebrate Christmas. Savage, funny, shocking and beautiful, they present some unforgettable images – the iridescent, sulphurous smoke of the smelter in a mining town, the yellow aromo blossom sticking to a couple’s skin – in concise writing that brings the reader up short with its power. The dark thread of alcoholism runs through many of the stories as well as the brighter threads of love, romantic and maternal, and of beauty found in the most unlikely places. Outstanding.
by Gudrun Bowers | 21, Aug 2017
We are thrilled to present a fantastic science event with science writer Dr Michael Brooks and TV presenter/writer Rick Edwards. This entertaining and informative show, based on their hit podcast and upcoming book Science(ish) examines the science behind the movies. Illustrating their theories with film clips from iconic movies, Michael and Rick will ponder whether it’s really possible to bring back an extinct species (Jurassic Park), whether we will ever be able to travel back in time and meet our parents (Back to the Future) and if it is possible that we are, in fact, already living in a computer simulation (The Matrix).
Dr Michael Brooks is an author, journalist and broadcaster, holds a PHD in Quantum Physics and is editor-at-large of the New Scientist, as well as writing a weekly column for the New Statesman. He is the author of At The Edge of Uncertainty, The Secret Anarchy of Science and the bestselling 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense.
Rick Edwards is a TV presenter and writer with a particular interest in mathematics and the natural sciences. As a broadcaster Rick has most recently made a foray in to the world of quizzing as the host of BBC1’s daytime show !mpossible which aired in January 2017 and will return for an extended second run in May this year. Amongst his other numerous presenting credits are: ITV2’s comedy roast Safeword, BBC Three’s live current affairs debate show Free Speech and Channel 4’s Paralympic Breakfast Show. He also writes a monthly fashion column for The Observer, and has made forays into stand-up comedy.
Advance booking highly recommended for this event, as it promises to be fantastic fun and very popular!
Start time is 7.30pm, wine and soft drinks will be on sale, and a reduced price of £7 is available for under 18’s.
Booking is available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FDFIGM
or by phoning us on 01903 812062.
by Gudrun Bowers | 26, May 2017
by Gudrun Bowers | 22, Jun 2026
Come and meet JULIA DONALDSON at a very special book-signing event at the Steyning Bookshop, to celebrate the release of GRUFFALO GRANNY. An amazing chance to meet the nation’s favourite children’s storyteller IN PERSON, and get a signed and name-dedicated hardback copy of the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years!
ABOUT THE BOOK-SIGNING
This is a TICKETED EVENT. You must purchase a ticket in advance if you wish to attend.
Your ‘ticket’ for the signing costs £14.99 which pays for your copy of Gruffalo Granny, and entitles the ticket bearer, plus up to 4 additional family members, entry to the signing.
You will receive your copy of Gruffalo Granny upon entry to the bookshop, where you will get the chance to purchase other books by Julia, before going through to get the books signed and meet Julia!
Julia will be happy to sign up to 5 additional books that are bought from The Steyning Bookshop on the day only.
If you require multiple copies of GRUFFALO GRANNY please do NOT book multiple tickets – we will have PLENTY of extra copies for you to purchase on the day!
To reduce queue times, the signing is divided into 6 time slots of 30 minutes, starting from 2pm.
If the weather is fine this signing will take place in the beautiful bookshop back garden, and there will be refreshments and activities for children while you wait.
We regret that our bookshop is not easily wheelchair accessible, please call us if you need to discuss access options before booking.
Tickets go on sale Saturday 27th June at 9.30am.
ABOUT GRUFFALO GRANNY
Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure features the return of much-loved characters and is destined to become a classic. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day,“Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay…” What WILL happen next?
TICKETS
Tickets FOR ALL AVAILABLE TIME SLOTS can be purchased online via the link below – tickets are £14.99 PLUS a small online booking fee. Each ticket allows entry for ONE FAMILY GROUP of up to 5 people. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the bookshop or by phone on 01903 812062.This event WILL sell out so we recommend early booking. Tickets go on sale Saturday 27th June at 9.30am.
by Gudrun Bowers | 19, Jun 2026
Join JACK NOEL, the super-skilled creator of the hilarious DADBOT graphic novels for a fun, informal COMIC CREATION workshop!
Meet the DADBOT characters, and learn the basics of layout, character creation and coming up with story ideas.
This workshop is perfect for children aged 7-11 years old – especially fans of Bunny vs Monkey and Dogman!
ABOUT THE EVENT
1 hour comic drawing workshop suitable for children of 7+.
Tickets £5 per child – gives £5 off a purchase of a DADBOT book! All materials provided but feel free to bring your own sketchbooks and drawing pens, if you have them!
Doors Open at 10:40AM
Starts at 11:00AM
ABOUT JACK NOEL
Jack Noel is an award-winning author, illustrator and book designer. He is the creator of My Headteacher is an Evil Genius, Skater Baby and the Comic Classics series, as well as his latest hilarious graphic novels, the DADBOT series. He has been reading comics and then copying out his favourite bits since 1988. His influences are The Beano, The Simpsons and Terminator 2. He is a dad, but not a robot dad.
ABOUT THE DADBOT BOOKS
What do you get when you mix workaholic parents, a car boot sale and a mad scientist together? DADBOT, that’s who! Super-strong, with hot chocolate on tap and a printer for a butt, this major parenting upgrade has turned Josh and Daisy’s lives UPSIDE DOWN! But the evil Doctor Egg is lurking to steal Dadbot for his own plans of world domination…. Can Josh and Daisy protect their new robo-parent before it’s too late?
Tickets online via the link below (small booking fee applies) or direct from the bookshop
by Gudrun Bowers | 16, Jun 2026
Join us for an afternoon of party-themed fun as we celebrate the release of YOU CHOOSE PARTY TIME with the creators of the YOU CHOOSE series, NICK SHARRATT and PIPPA GOODHART!
This will be a fun, interactive event for children aged 4+. Nick and Pippa will share highlights from the book, there will be an easy draw-along, some party games to join in, and free refreshments for kids! There will be a chance to get your books signed at the end – copies of the new book, and the rest of the You Choose series, will be available for purchase on the day. So, what are you waiting for – throw on your sparkliest outfit and LET’S PARTY!
ABOUT THE EVENT
This is a ticketed event. Each child ticket is £5, and this event is most suited for children aged 5-9. Accompanying adults do not need to purchase a ticket but please, for space reasons, no more than 3 extra family members per child. Baby siblings under 3 years old do not need a ticket. Your £5 ticket acts as a £5 voucher towards a YOU CHOOSE book purchase on the day. If the weather is fine the event will take place outside under shelter in our beautiful bookshop back garden. Pencils, paper and leaning boards will be provided for the draw-along.
EVENT START TIME 3pm. EVENT END TIME APPROX 4pm (followed by book-signing)
ABOUT YOU CHOOSE PARTY TIME – Hardback £12.99
It’s PARTY TIME and YOU CHOOSE what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes?
The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which will inspire children age 3 and upwards to make their own adventures again and again!
ABOUT NICK SHARRATT & PIPPA GOODHART
NICK SHARRATT has written and illustrated countless best-selling books for children including Shark in the Park, and the You Choose series. He has won numerous awards for his picture books, including the Sheffield Children’s Book Award and the 2001 Children’s Book Award. He has also enjoyed stellar success illustrating Jacqueline Wilson’s books. Nick lives in Hove.
PIPPA GOODHART’S interest in children’s books was originally sparked by a Saturday job at Heffers in Cambridge when she was at school. Since then, Pippa qualified as a teacher and returned to Heffers, where she eventually became Manager of the Children’s Bookshop. She has been writing since 1993 and has written over 100 books! Her books have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards.
TICKETS: £5 per child, available via link below (small online booking fee applies) or in person at the bookshop / by phone on 01903 812062.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Jun 2026
Meet KATIE KIRBY, author of the mega-bestselling LOTTIE BROOKS series, as she celebrates the PAPERBACK release of the 8th Lottie Brooks book – LOTTIE BROOKS AND THE ULTRA MEAN GIRLS – with a book-signing event at the Steyning Bookshop.
As well as the chance to meet Katie and get your book signed, there will be snacks and activities for kids while you wait, and if the weather is fine, the event will take place in the beautiful bookshop back garden.
To attend this event, you need to buy a ticket, which INCLUDES a paperback copy of Lottie Brooks vs the Ultra Mean Girls.
Each ticket is £8.99, but accompanying adults and younger siblings don’t need a ticket. No more than 3 additonal family members with each main ticket-holder, if possible!
We appreciate that Steyning is hard to reach on a school day by 3.30pm, so we have divided the signing into 2 slots: 3.30 – 5pm, and 5 – 6.30pm. If you’re coming from further away, the 5pm time slot may be easier! More local families may prefer the 3.30pm time slot. You don’t have to arrive right at the beginning of your time slot, just be sure to get here before the end of it!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
-Book and ticket – each booked ticket will receive a copy of the new paperback which will be signed and dedicated by Katie. Accompanying adults and younger siblings don’t need a ticket.
– We will have all the LOTTIE BROOKS books on sale, so if you want to purchase extra copies of any books and get these signed too, you can! In addition, each ticket holder may bring up to one additional copy of any of Katie’s books (from home) to be signed – but not name-dedicated.
-Please be prepared to queue, and make sure you bring water and snacks in case you are queuing for a long time.
-If you have any accessibility needs that may impact your ability to wait in the queue, please do flag this to the store when booking your tickets.
-Photos with Katie are allowed, but please do limit these to just one per ticket and let the signing team help to take these, to ensure we have time for everyone to speak to and have their photo with Katie.
Tickets can be purchased via the link below (small online booking fee applies) or via the bookshop in person, or by by phone on 01903 812062.
by Gudrun Bowers | 13, May 2026
Another of the events curated by us for The Steyning Festival.
Join award-winning author and illustrator Liz Pichon as she celebrates 15 years of the multi-million best-selling Tom Gates series and takes you into the world of ‘The Mubbles’ for a JOYFUL hour of DOODLING, giggling, games, storytelling and more!
ABOUT LIZ PICHON & HER BOOKS
Liz Pichon is one of the UK’s best-loved and bestselling creators of children’s books, including Tom Gates and The Mubbles. The Tom Gates series won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story and the younger fiction category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. The Mubbles is a hilarious new graphic novel series, filled with colourful, crazy characters who live on the Isle of Smile!
Please bring pencils and paper. Suitable for ages 6+
Tickets are available online HERE from The Steyning Festival website and at the bookshop.
by Gudrun Bowers | 15, Apr 2026
A fantastic family event curated by the bookshop as part of The Steyning Festival.
Join multi-award winning author and illustrator Chris Riddell OBE for an hour of fantasy drawing fun.
Chris will introduce his new books A Mermaid’s Diary and A Mermaid’s Rescue and immerse us in their magical underwater realm with live drawing. There will be lots of DRAW-ALONG fun too, and time to ask Chris questions and have books signed.
ABOUT CHRIS RIDDELL
Chris Riddell OBE, the 2015-2017 UK Children’s Laureate, is an accomplished artist and the political cartoonist for the Observer. He has enjoyed great acclaim for his books for children. His books have won a number of major prizes, including the 2001, 2004 and 2016 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals. Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse won the Costa Children’s Book Award 2013. He lives in Brighton & Norfolk.
ABOUT THE MERMAID’S DIARY BOOKS
Meet shy mermaid Atalanta Scrimshaw. She lives in the quiet backwater of Sleepy Cove, collects messages in bottles, rides seahorses and enjoys the hobby of ‘walking’ on the beach and visiting friends. Life is perfect until Atalanta learns of plans by developers Bristle & Splinter to transform Sleepy Cove into a luxury seaside golf resort. Realizing that this plan will destroy her home, she enlists the help of her friends, old and new, to try to stop it.
“Charming, witty and imaginative, and packed with an unbelievable amount of stunning artwork .. one of the best books to be published for 7- to 9-year-olds this year’” The Bookseller
EVENT INFO
This event is part of the Steyning Festival ART IN THE PARK day, and will take place at THE PENFOLD HALL at 2pm -3pm, followed by book-signing. Suitable for families with children of 5+ years.
The Steyning Bookshop will be at the event, selling a range of Chris Riddell’s books – all packed with stunning artwork and perfect for readers aged six and up.
Tickets available HERE via the Steyning Festival Website, but non-internet users can also purchase tickets at the bookshop.
by Gudrun Bowers | 15, Apr 2026
This event is curated by the Steyning Bookshop as part of the 2026 STEYNING FESTIVAL.
We are thrilled to welcome nature writer, walker and conservationist ROGER MORGAN-GRENVILLE back to Steyning for an illuminating slide-illustrated talk, sharing highlights from the epic coastal walk he undertook as research for his new book THE RESTLESS COAST.
ABOUT THE RESTLESS COAST
The island of Britain has over 10,000 miles of coastline, steeped in history and constantly shifting, changing, adapting and providing. The Restless Coast is a moving and beautiful account of a journey around it, during which the author sets out to discover its challenges and opportunities, and to talk to its people. At once delightful travelogue and passionate defence, The Restless Coast shines a powerful spotlight on the thin line that surrounds us, and defines our status as islanders.
Overarching the journey is the extraordinary natural history of the coastline, together with the story of how man has imprinted himself on its very geology and shape for countless centuries. Roger Morgan-Grenville addresses the modern challenges that the shoreline faces, and highlights the people who are trying to protect it. Informative, angry and funny, The Restless Coast is a very personal love letter to our island edge.
ABOUT ROGER MORGAN-GRENVILLE
ROGER MORGAN-GRENVILLE was a soldier from 1978-86. In 2007, he helped to set up the charity Help for Heroes, and in 2020 he was a founding member of the conservation charity, Curlew Action. His earlier titles, Liquid Gold, Shearwater, Taking Stock and Across a Waking Land are also published by Icon. He lives in
West Sussex.
ABOUT THE EVENT
THURSDAY 28th MAY, 6pm at STEYNING METHODIST CHURCH. This event is curated by the Steyning Bookshop as part of the 2026 STEYNING FESTIVAL. Tickets are available online HERE via the Steyning Festival website. Non internet users can also purchase tickets at the Steyning Bookshop, however we will still be booking them FOR you via the Steyning Festival website. The Steyning Bookshop will be selling Roger’s books before / after the event and Roger will be happy to sign them.
by Gudrun Bowers | 15, Apr 2026
A really interesting event for lovers of history, nature and birds, this event is one of the literary talks we’ve programmed for the 2026 STEYNING FESTIVAL.
Join Michael J.Warren, author of ‘The Cuckoo’s Lea: The Forgotten History of Birds and Place’, as he discusses the deep connections between birds, place, and the stories we tell about the natural world.
Birds have inspired our connection to landscapes for centuries, but how did this relationship begin?
Hidden in the place names of English towns and villages, in copses, fields, lanes and hills, are traces of birds that illustrate how ancient people understood their world. In The Cuckoo’s Lea, Michael J. Warren follows these clues across England, from marshes where curlews still cry to woods where goshawks have returned after centuries, and cuckoo-groves now buried under concrete. Weaving together early literature, history and ornithology,, he uncovers how people encountered birds over a thousand years ago and reveals a heritage that matters today, when so many places and their birds are threatened. Michael is a frequent visitor to Steyning and some local place names feature in the book!
The talk is followed by the opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed by the author. Michael will be in conversation with the fantastic HENRI BROCKLEBANK, Director of Conservation at the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Click here for tickets over on the STEYNING FESTIVAL website. Tickets are £12.50, a bit more than our normal bookshop events but goes towards supporting the festival, which is a registered charity and is run entirely by volunteers.
FRIDAY 22nd MAY 6pm at STEYNING METHODIST CHURCH
by Gudrun Bowers | 18, Mar 2026
Join award-winning children’s author/performer/musician Gareth P Jones for his brand new show, inspired by his hilarious new picture book CHICKEN VS EGG.
Expect live music, sing-along songs, a fast rapping fox, puppets, clucking chickens, cracking egg puns… and the answer to some of life’s biggest questions including Why did the chicken cross the road? and Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
A fun picture book event to entertain all ages from 4+
ABOUT GARETH P JONES & HIS BOOKS
Gareth is a children’s author responsible for the comic gothic cult classic, The Thornthwaite Inheritance, the Blue Peter Award winning The Considine Curse & a possibly one of the oddest books ever written for children, Death or Ice Cream?
He has written various children’s fiction series including Dragon Detective, Ninja Meerkats, Steampunk Pirates, Pet Defenders & the brilliant Solve Your Own Mystery Series. His picture books include Rabunzel, CinderGorilla, Snowy White, The Lion on the Bus, Are You The Pirate Captain & The Dinosaurs are Having a Party. He has also written for television and writes musicals.
CHICKEN VS EGG is a hilarious story about a crazy, thrilling race which may finally answer the question ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’, with lively illustrations by Craig Shuttlewood.
ABOUT THE EVENT
This event is perfect for children aged 4+. Start time 11am. Duration approx 1 hour including book-signing. The venue is the rear kitchen of the bookshop, it may be a bit of a squash with kids seated on the floor.
Tickets: £7 per child INCLUDES a copy of CHICKEN VS EGG! Additional siblings £3 – without a book. Accompanying adults do not need to purchase a ticket but please only 1 parent / carer per child due to space restrictions.
Tickets available online via link below or direct from the bookshop.
by Gudrun Bowers | 18, Mar 2026
A creative, fun workshop for children aged 9+. Join amazing children’s author HELEN PETERS for a fun, informal creative writing workshop inspired by Helen’s ‘timeslip’ stories for older children, Evie’s Ghost and Anna at War.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Where would you like to go? How would you get there? And what magical powers does this seemingly ordinary pebble contain? In this fun, interactive workshop, Helen will show how magical objects and portals to other worlds can create mystery and tension, and offer tips on creating settings and characters. Children will have the opportunity to share their writing and receive constructive feedback if they wish. Perfect for budding writers, keen readers and anyone with a wild imagination!
ABOUT HELEN PETERS AND HER BOOKS
Helen Peters is an accomplished children’s author who has written over 24 books for children. Her novels for older children include the Hannah’s Farm series, two WW2 novels (Anna at War and Friends & Traitors) and a spooky timeslip story, Evie’s Ghost. Helen is also the author of the JASMINE GREEN series for younger readers.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Start time 2pm, Duration approx 60-80 mins, refreshments provided. £7 ticket price includes a copy of a Helen Peters book. ccompanying adults who wish to stay do not need a ticket.
Tickets available via link below (small online booking fee applies) or direct from the bookshop
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