Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop is so looking forward to hosting the Children's creative duo of the bestselling 'If I had a...' series!

EXCLUSIVE PRE-PUBLICATION AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR EVENT!

Join us at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop for a very special October Half Term event with bestselling author Gabby Dawnay and illustrator Alex Barrow as we celebrate their hilarious new picture book, If I Had a Penguin – a whole week before its official publication!

We'll enjoy a lively storytime with the book's creators, followed by a fun, book-inspired creative activity. Expect plenty of laughter, imagination and penguin-sized mischief! Alex will also be bringing his wonderful illustrations to life by painting the bookshop window!

ABOUT IF I HAD A PENGUIN

What would YOU do if a penguin turned up at your front door?

At first, having an adorable Adélie penguin as a pet sounds rather wonderful. But there's one small problem...

This penguin hasn't come alone!

Before long, an entire colony of penguins has arrived, and everyday life becomes a wonderfully chaotic adventure.

From trips to the seaside and water park to jazz clubs, movie nights and a very crowded bathtub, these playful penguins are determined to join in with absolutely everything!

Full of rollicking rhymes, hilarious illustrations and wonderfully unexpected adventures, If I Had a Penguin is the tenth story in the internationally bestselling If I Had a... series.

Publishing on 5th November 2026, we're delighted to be hosting this exclusive pre-publication event, with copies of the book available before they officially reach bookshops!

ABOUT GABBY DAWNAY & ALEX BARROW

Gabby Dawnay is a bestselling children's author and poet whose playful rhymes and imaginative storytelling have delighted young readers around the world. She is the author of the hugely popular If I Had a... series, alongside the 5 Minute Stories non-fiction series and other much-loved books for children.

Alex Barrow is an acclaimed illustrator whose expressive characters, playful details and brilliantly funny artwork bring Gabby's imaginative stories to life.

Together, Gabby and Alex have created the internationally bestselling If I Had a... series, which has more than 370,000 copies in print across seventeen languages.

Their stories invite children to imagine the extraordinary possibilities of everyday life with some rather unusual animal companions!

AT THIS SPECIAL HALF TERM EVENT, CHILDREN WILL:

📖 Enjoy a lively storytime of If I Had a Penguin with author Gabby Dawnay and illustrator Alex Barrow

🐧 Meet a whole colony of mischievous penguins and discover the chaos they create!

🎨 Take part in a fun, book-inspired creative activity with the creators

💬 Have the opportunity to ask Gabby and Alex questions about their stories and illustrations

✍️ Meet Gabby and Alex and have their books personally signed

📚 Be among the very first readers to enjoy If I Had a Penguin before its official publication!

🎨 See illustrator Alex Barrow bring his artwork to life as he paints the Happy Reading Children's Bookshop window!

Every child takes home their very own pre-publication copy of If I Had a Penguin, signed by its creators, to read and treasure at home!

Come and join us for a wonderfully funny, creative and very special Half Term celebration at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop!

Important Information:

Suitable for children aged 3+

Event duration: approx. 60minutes (includes signing)

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a hardback copy of the book RRP £11.99)

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

The bookshop is on the first floor, accessed via a flight of stairs.

Children will sit for the reading, then move to a play/craft table for activities. All materials are provided and age-appropriate.

Adults may stay for the event (limited seating available) or relax with a coffee and pastry downstairs in STAPLE.

If you can’t attend, please let us know so we can offer your space to another family.

Photos may be taken for social media (backs of heads only). Please let us know at the start of the session if you prefer your child not to be included.

📧 Questions? Contact: books@happyreading.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.