Book Buzz 2026

Come along to artsdepot for a FREE family day packed with creativity, imagination and storytelling. Dress up as your favourite comic, manga or book character, meet professional comic creators, discover drawing techniques, invent your own heroes and villains, and take part in hands-on workshops and activities throughout the building. Alongside the comic-inspired fun, enjoy book swaps, a local book stall and creative drop-in activities for readers, artists and storytellers of all ages with adult supervision. Drop-in activities include: • Make Your Own Mini Comic – Design characters and write speech bubbles to create your own pocket-sized comic strip. Ages 4+ with adult supervision. • POW! BAM! Comic Book Action Station – Make your own action-packed artwork using giant comic-book sound effects. Ages 2+ with adult supervision. • Heroes, Hobbits & Magic – Join Dice Dice Baby for an introduction to Magic: The Gathering. Ages 7+ with adult supervision. • Festival Bookshop & Library – Browse graphic novels, comics and children’s books with Muswell Hill Children’s Bookshop and Barnet Libraries. • Book Swap – Bring a book you’ve loved and swap it for a brand-new adventure. • Superhero Badge Making – Design and make your own badge to wear home. Ages 3+ with adult supervision. • From Barnet with Love – Creative activities celebrating stories, community and local connections. And, take part in free artist workshops: Comic Art Masterclass with Kev F. Sutherland 11.15am – 12.15pm & 1.45pm – 2.45pm | Ages 7+ Join Kev F Sutherland, whose work has appeared in The Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel Comics, for a fun, hands-on workshop full of drawing tips, cartooning secrets and creative challenges. Create your own comic characters, bring stories to life, and discover the tricks of the trade in a session designed for children and their grown-ups to enjoy together. Manga Magic: Create Your Own Yokai with Chie Kutsuwada 12.30pm – 1.30pm & 3pm – 4pm | Ages 9+ Learn some Manga drawing techniques, draw along with the artist, then let your imagination run wild and create your very own Yokai. Designed for children and their grown-ups to enjoy together, this creative workshop is perfect for curious minds and budding artists alike.