The event, which is organised by Manchester Metropolitan University, will feature appearances from Rastamouse, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre and Curtis Jobling.
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will launch the festival on June 16 when she will also announce the winners of Poetry Together, the cross-generation poetry competition which the University launched in November with the Co-Operative.
The festival’s annual free family fun day on June 25 will feature Reeve and McIntyre’s latest book, Pugs of the Frozen North, an Incident Response Dog display by Greater Manchester Police, face painting, balloon modelling, puppet storytelling and iPad filmmaking.
There will even by the chance to try a specially-created Manchester Children’s Book Festival ice cream flavour, from Ginger’s Comfort Emporium.
On the same day, comic fans will have the chance to take part in the Manchester Phoenix Fest with Phoenix Comics stars Laura Anderson, Neill Cameron, the Etherington Brothers and Adam Murphy.
Another highlight of the festival is Travelling Light’s wonderful play for children, Into The West, which will take place at Z Arts on June 26.
And on June 2 the #MCRTakeover at Manchester Central Library will take over the building for a day of performances, open mic MC-ing, animation, poetry slamming, graphic novels, quizzes, indoor pool, live music and more.
Poets and authors taking part in the event will include Chris Jam, Alex Wheatle, Siobhann Curran, Juno Dawson, Non Pratt and Curtis Jobling.
For more information about the festival, visit mcbf.org.uk.
