What's On 2026 | Explore Events Now — Join the Fun — 2 Rivers Children's Book Festival

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Adam Murphy

Adam Murphy is an award-winning comics writer and artist.

He is the co-creator (with his wife and creative partner, Lisa Murphy) of the hilarious history chat-show comics series CorpseTalk (David Fickling Books), now adapted as an animated TV show, and also the fantastic folk-tales comics series Lost Tales. He is also a Phoenix Comic alumni - creator of CorpseTalk and Ninja Vs. Ninja.

Adam Murphy Website

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Jill Calder

Jill Calder is an award winning illustrator with a passion for colour, ink, paper and pixels.

Since graduating from art school in the early 1990s, Jill’s work has taken her around the world, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka with the British Council’s Drawing Words exhibition featuring ten British picture book illustrators, curated by the then Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child.

Earlier this year, Jill was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration for her work in Coorie Doon, a beautifully dreamy picture book written by the former Makar of Scotland, Jackie Kay and published by Walker Books. Jill’s latest picture book is Cass and the Beast, written by New Zealand author Claire Mabey, a story of a curious girl meeting a mysterious beast! Jill lives in Fife with her husband and dogs.

Jill Calder Website

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Morag Hood

Morag Hood is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator from Edinburgh. She loves making up stories, print-making and cutting and sticking. Her favourite things to draw are eyebrows.

She has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and a BA in Costume Design from Wimbledon College of Art. She used to work in theatre, but now spends her days in her Edinburgh studio with views of the hills.

And she loves ducks.

Morag Hood Website

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Helen Kellock

Helen Kellock is an award-winning Scottish illustrator and writer based in Glasgow. At the heart of her practice is a love of drawing, narrative, and making picture books.

Helen’s published works include: The Star in the Forest (2019), Out to Sea (2021), Scotland: The People, the Places, The Stories (2023),The Wild Beastie: A Tale from the Isle of Begg (2024), and The Lost Gemstone: A Tale from the Isle of Begg (2026)

Helen’s debut picturebook, The Star in the Forest, won the Batsford Prize for Children’s Illustration and was shortlisted for the prestigious Klaus Flugge prize.

Helen Kellock Website

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Manjeet Mann

Manjeet Mann is an award-winning author, actress, and playwright whose work spans page, stage, and screen.

Her debut YA novel Run, Rebel was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won the Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award and numerous other prizes. ROAR is her latest YA novel in verse. Her work has been celebrated for its powerful, poetic voice.

Manjeet Mann Instagram

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Gill Arbuthnott

Gill Arbuthnott is the author of numerous books for children and teenagers.

Gill writes picture books, novels for 8-12 year olds, and teenagers. Her non-fiction books provide a highly entertaining introduction to science topics and areas of Scottish history.

Gill Arbuthnott Website

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Mark Mechan

Mark Mechan is an illustrator, graphic designer and author. Originally from Dundee, he now lives in Hamilton.

His first book Tumshie was published in 2020 and was inspired by Scottish Halloween nights spent with his own kids — creating costumes and carving turnip lanterns. His second book, Welly Boot Broth was inspired by seasons spent in the garden along with his wife and three kids: playing, attempting to grow vegetables — and letting nature take its course.

Mark Mechan Instagram

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Yasmin Hanif

Yasmin Hanif is a writer specialising in Children's Literature, from poetry, picture books, middle grade to young adult fiction.

She was shortlisted for the Kavya Arts Prize in 2023 for her story which became her debut picture book, 'Abdullah's Bear Needs A Name!'.

She loves walks in nature, birthday cake and big fluffy dogs.

Yasmin Hanif Website

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Chris McQueer

Chris McQueer is the acclaimed author of the short story collections Hings and HWFG and debut novel, Hermit. He is also a screenwriter, playwright and spoken word artist.

He has ‍been writing for around four years and in that time has had two collections of short stories published by 404 Ink, and won a handful of awards including the award for Outstanding Literature at The Herald Scottish Culture Awards 2019.

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Alison Murray

Alison Murray is an author and illustrator of picture books, based in Glasgow.

She has been illustrating and writing books now for over 15 years, with several published internationally. Alison’s books have been longlisted and shortlisted by the UK Literary Association Award and she’s had three books in the Scottish Bookbug bag. Alison loves drawing animals - especially grumpy ones.

Alison Murray Website

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Justin Davies

Justin Davies is a children’s author and his debut book won the Fantastic Book Awards in 2021.

Justin Davies lives with his husband Andrew and rescue greyhound Sally in the shadow of the Forth Bridge in Fife. Born in England, but being half Welsh and married to a Scot, he feels quite at home in a land of Celts. When not writing, or assisting readers find the perfect books for their research at the National Library of Scotland (dream job for an author!), Justin continues his lifelong quest to bake the perfect scone. It’s an important endeavour, and one which he takes very seriously.

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Susi Briggs

Susi Briggs is an accomplished author, storyteller, playwright, poet, podcaster and musician hailing from scenic Dumfries and Galloway.

A former Scots Scriever, Susi is deeply passionate about promoting Scots language literacy and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Scotland through her creative work.

Susi Briggs Website

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Joanne Marr

Joanne Marr is an experienced and gifted storyteller, with a background in Community Arts, and has many years of experience working with diverse groups of all ages and abilities.

Joanne worked for The Village Storytelling Centre in Glasgow for five years during which time she developed and delivered many diverse projects.

She has a fantastic ability to reach people of all generations with her enthusiasm and unique delivery style. Joanne loves to tell stories with strong female characters in them, old tales with a modern twist, Scottish tales, and those from further afield.

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Pippa Reid-Foster

Pippa Reid-Foster is an innovative contemporary Scottish harp player. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she combines a minimal compositional style with strong references to her Scottish roots.

Pippa is not only an accomplished performer and composer but is also passionate about passing on her skills to a new generation of musicians and composers.

Pippa Reid-Foster Website

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Clare Leonard

Clare Leonard is a Glasgow-based artist and author whose creative work spans abstract acrylic painting and children’s storytelling.

Her debut picture book, Dougal and the Raiders of the Dark Park, is a mischievous and heartwarming adventure celebrating community, co-operation, sharing — and plenty of soup.

Alongside her visual art practice, Clare has been bringing Dougal’s world to life through readings and events in schools, nurseries and libraries, where she enjoys encouraging imagination and a love of stories in young readers. She holds both an Honours and Master’s degree and is passionate about creativity in all its forms. When she isn’t painting or writing, Clare can usually be found dreaming up new characters and playful adventures.

Clare Leonard Instagram

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Clifftop Projects CIC

Clifftop Projects is a Dumbarton based arts organisation placing community at the heart of our work.

Artistic Designer, Lottie, is a producer and creative arts facilitator based in Dumbarton. She started up Clifftop Projects in April 2020 to better engage with her local community in West Dunbartonshire and ensure equal access to the arts.

Clifftop Projects Website

Glasgow Zine Library

Glasgow Zine Library are a self-publishing library, archive and community space located in Govanhill, Glasgow.

GZL believes in the radical power of DIY culture. Established first as a small festival run by two pals in 2013, GZL is now a charity, a self-publishing library and community arts space in Govanhill, Glasgow. GZL is the largest independent zine library in the UK with an international collection of over 4,000 zines. They welcome around 9,000 people each year, across over 150 events, delivered in partnership with hundreds of artists. They are run by a small dedicated local team with the support of over 60 volunteers.

Glasgow Zine Library Website