A CREATIVE CHILD THRIVES

Many Penistone Arts Week events are created with children in mind giving you the perfect opportunity to spend quality parent & child time together.

This year our Book Trail offers the chance to go on safari following in the pawprints of our ‘Sheffield Children’s Hospital Pride of Yorkshire’ cub.

Twenty clues have been posted in local shop and cafe windows, all based on books featuring lions. 5-11 year olds can follow the pawprints to find the clues.

Download the entry form:

Or pop into any of The Wise Donkey on the High Street, the Temporary Library at The Town Hall on Shrewsbury Road next to The Paramount, for one. Complete the form and drop it into the Library by 31st March to be cantered into our lucky draw to WIN £50 in Book Tokens.

If your child’s school is also taking part in a local trail, there is an additional £10 book token to be won too – ask in school.

‘WILDSMITH’s WONDERFUL WORLD’ in 2025

Barbara Lee, who organises our annual Book Trail got really creative last year and we were extremely proud to have ‘Brian Wildsmith’s Wonderful World’ as our theme.

Born at 8 Church Street in Penistone, this acclaimed author-illustrator has wowed children the world over with his amazing children’s books. Last year we were able to bring his world into your child’s with a multi-part book trail. Shops displayed artwork from the ‘A-Z of Animals’ and children followed the trail to find all 26.

Inspired by Wildsmith’s work, local author illustrator Paul Morton was also invited to provide schools with illustrations to be coloured in for a GIANT ABC ANIMAL FRIEZE assembled at the book trail celebrations on 22nd March 2025 at St John the Baptist’s Church in the town centre.

The frieze was displayed in Penistone Library for all to see.

Book Swap

Last year we introduced the Penistone Children’s Book Swap to the event too.

With the cost of everything increasing, it really doesn’t have to be at the detriment of our children’s education. Books are the gateway to life and the earlier kids start to read, the earlier their imagination begins to grow, seeds are sown and the next generation of entrepreneurs, creatives and successful individuals are created.

By swapping your read and unwanted books you can open your child’s imagination to a far wider world and it doesn’tcist you a penny!

Parents and children can bring their books along to St John the Baptist’s Church to swap them with any remaining books were to be donated to Barnsley Women’s Refuge.

Growing Along With Our Children

We’re so proud of how our Book Trail is bringing literature and art to the children of Penistone and every year it is growing considerably.

The inaugural Penistone Book Trail, led by Barbara Lee in 2024, showcased children’s art inspired by beloved storybooks in the windows of Penistone High Street shops.

Young adventurers collected clues from Penistone Library, culminating in a rewarding prize-giving ceremony by Jane Hewett and Tommy from the Limbo Charity. Every participant received a certificate, and Stainsborough Rotary Club generously awarded a prize for the outstanding artwork, celebrating the creativity and imagination of our youth.

Encourage your child’s creativity in 2026 & join in the fun – together!