In 2025 I started to daydream about organising a wee kid’s book fest in Dumbarton. I told my husband that I would plan something “maybe within 5 years”. That seemed like a reasonable goal for someone with no experience of organising events.  Then I might have started e-mailing a couple of authors and illustrators “just to see how these things maybe could be done”. Then started “just having a wee look at how funding works”. Then I started organising a book festival for children to happen later that same year (patience isn’t my strong suit)!  Born out of a love of children’s books (I own a very small online children’s bookshop: Moonlight Rainbow Books), passion for getting children reading (my own and those I teach) as well as a love (love/hate at times!) for my hometown of Dumbarton. 

The potential of Dumbarton is massive. Rich in history. Sitting on the banks of two rivers with a quietly impressive castle right on our doorstep. Beautiful Levengrove Park. Plentiful public transport. Sitting in the very fortunate position of being close to both Glasgow and Loch Lomond National Park. Green shoots of a community coming together and making the area better for everyone. The new library and museum is a joyous thing in an age of budget cuts and public libraries being closed across the UK. Projects like Knowetop SCIO; the Dumbarton Rocks festivals; Clydesider’s Heritage events; Clifftop Projects CIC; The Dumbarton People’s Theatre…to name but a few!  I am proud we get to play a small part in this growing grassroots community. 

Despite me, on the day before our inaugural festival in 2025, swearing (in both senses of the word) that I was never organising another festival ever again - we are back for year 2! Not only are we returning - we are expanding! Taking feedback on board from last year, we are going to offer some workshops for 12 - 17 year olds too. Which is slightly daunting but also exciting to plan. I am obviously biased but I think we have a pretty top notch line-up! 

I couldn’t do this completely on my own though and luckily have good friends who were happy to get involved. Altogether we are a tiny not-for-profit community group made up of three main volunteers with backgrounds in education, arts & heritage and design. We are all passionate about sharing a love of reading with young people and with 2026 being the National Year of Reading in the UK we wanted to make sure there were opportunities locally to celebrate! 

Keep your eyes on our Instagram page for updates over the next few months and we look forward to seeing you in October! 

Sheila, William & Susan x