Boswell Book Festival events are now over for 2022, except for schools’ events which are available to view on demand until 30 June
The online schools' events are free. Registration required.

Gill Arbuthnott: Microbe Wars
Primary 4-7
Join Gill Arbuthnott for a fascinating exploration of microbes - bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi - this is the story of how humans have both battled against microbes, but also utilised them for good. This is the perfect event to understand viruses in a fun and interactive way, to break down the fear and the myths and learn the facts.
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Marit Törnqvist and David Colmer: You Are the Loveliest
Primary 2-5
Sometimes our feelings are so big, our dreams and our worries so wide, that we can’t find the words to express them. These thoughts and questions are explored in You Are The Loveliest by Hans and Monique Hagen. In this event, illustrator Marit and translator, David, take you on a Dutch odyssey to learn about and hear from the poems.
Part of New Dutch Writing Supported by the Dutch Foundation for Literature with 'New Dutch Writing'

Jo Hall and Jojo the Gnome
Nursery - P3
Make some memories using your senses with JoJo Gnome in this fun story filled session. Listen to the story “JoJo Gnome & The Sound Walk”. Discover what’s in Jo’s beach memory box. Finish your own story from our story starter. Jo will also show you how to make your very own Senses Memory Book.
Jo Hall produces the JoJo Gnome Story Podcast , which is free for schools, nurseries and families to listen to and enjoy. (www.jojognome.com)
Thanks to everyone who attended this year's festival!
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey below
Next year's dates for your diary - 12-14 May
CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR FESTIVAL 22 SURVEY
From 1 June both the live and online festivals will sadly be over for another year. We would be interested to hear from anyone who attended in person, or who watched online events, so please take a few minutes to help us gather feedback by completing our survey and sharing your experiences.
We are continually learning year on year how best to run the Festival and your feedback plays a vital role.

About the Boswell Book Festival
The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, normally set in the spectacular grounds of Dumfries House, draws an enthusiastic audience attracted by its unique theme.
Inspired by the great Ayrshire biographer James Boswell of Auchinleck, at the heart of the Festival is a programme of stories taken from the inspirational lives of people past and present - told through talks, drama, art and music.
Children's Festival
Why is it so important to children to tell our stories?
Stories connect the past and present to the future and learning these stories is what can awaken future generations to their potential.
Through the Festival, the Boswell Trust engages with primary and secondary schools across Ayrshire and beyond.
We were very grateful for the many donations received in support of the online events in 2021.
If you wish to support the festival going forwards, please use the donate button.
Donate
Trust – free non-fiction magazine from Baillie Gifford
Baillie Gifford are long-term supporters of the festival and dedicated supporters of UK literary events.
Trust is full of insightful articles about innovations that are transforming the way we live and work. Through features on pioneering companies and conversations with visionary authors, readers can find out first-hand about the sources of disruption in our fast-changing world. You can also access regular literary-related giveaways and exclusive author interviews.