Now in its third year, the Children’s Black Book Fair UK (CBBF UK) has grown into what organisers describe as the country’s largest annual celebration of Black children’s authors, storytellers and young literary talent.
More than 1,500 families, educators and community figures are expected to attend this year’s event in Hackney, with an afternoon of storytelling, workshops, performances and creative activities.
The fair comes at a significant moment for representation in children’s publishing. New figures from Inclusive Books for Children show that just 1.9% of children’s books published in the UK feature a Black main character, a proportion that has fallen by 21.5% since 2023.
With 2026 designated the National Year of Reading, this year’s CBBF UK will take place under the theme:
Representation Matters: We Belong In Every Story. See Us. Hear Us. Read Us.
A new literary landmark for Hackney
One of the centrepieces of this year’s fair will be the unveiling of the Hackney Writers Legacy Steps, created in partnership with Hackney Libraries, the headline sponsor of CBBF UK.
The main staircase at Dalston CLR James Library is being transformed into a celebration of Hackney’s literary and cultural history, featuring the names of 48 writers and storytellers with strong connections to the borough.
Authors, publishers, poets, journalists, playwrights, screenwriters, scriptwriters and songwriters will all be represented. Each has been born, raised, lived or worked in Hackney, or has another significant connection to the area.
Remarkably, the idea was conceived and developed by children.
Members of the CBBF UK Youth Focus Group, which meets monthly to help shape the direction of the fair, proposed the Legacy Steps, researched and shortlisted 100 writers and creatives, and chaired the panel responsible for choosing the final 48.
The installation was originally intended to remain in place for the weekend of the fair, but discussions are now taking place with Hackney Libraries about the possibility of making it permanent.
Romeo Bremmer BCyA, 18, co-founder of CBBF UK and leader of the Youth Focus Group, said the young people wanted to create something that would continue inspiring children after the event was over.
“We wanted to leave something behind that would last longer than one day. When you walk up those stairs and see the names of writers, poets and songwriters who came from the same streets as you, it tells you that your story matters too.
“We chose every name with care, because we wanted children like us to look up and think — if they could do it, so can I.
“The fact that Hackney Libraries are now considering making this permanent means everything. These steps were always meant to inspire the next generation, and now they might.”
Thirteen-year-old Lauryn-Rose Teixeira, Chair of the CBBF Youth Panel, said narrowing the shortlist down to 48 names had demonstrated the depth of creative talent connected with Hackney.
“We had so many names we wanted to include and it was really hard going through the 100 and even harder narrowing them down to just 48.
“But it showed us how many incredible writers and storytellers have come from Hackney, and how many more stories are still waiting to be told.
“I hope when children walk up those stairs they feel what I felt when we were putting the list together — that writing is for us, that Hackney is full of people who have used their voice and made a difference, and that we can do the same.”
First names revealed
Ahead of Saturday’s unveiling, organisers have revealed the first ten people who will appear on the staircase.
They include Dame Malorie Blackman DBE FRSL, who was chosen by the children for the first step because of the influence her books have had on young readers.
Pioneering publisher, writer and editor Margaret Busby CBE is also included, alongside author, campaigner and cultural historian Sir Patrick Vernon, whose work has helped bring Black British history and the Windrush story to wider audiences.
Hackney-born screenwriter, playwright and actor Michaela Coel will feature, as will broadcaster, writer and cultural storyteller Andi Oliver.
Singer, songwriter and Imagination frontman Leee John, who was born in Hackney, is among the musical figures recognised.
The list also includes broadcaster, writer and actor Eddie Nestor MBE, who was born and educated in Hackney, and Dr Ronx Ikharia, the Hackney-based doctor, author and television presenter who will host the National Year of Reading Storytelling Marathon during this year’s fair.
Representing a new generation of Hackney writers is Romeo Bremmer BCyA. The 18-year-old author, who was born and educated in Hackney, has written nine books and co-founded the Children’s Black Book Fair UK. He has also received an offer to study at the University of Cambridge from September 2026.
Taking the final, 48th position on the staircase is internationally celebrated poet and dub poetry pioneer Linton Kwesi Johnson.
Johnson has longstanding connections with political and cultural organising in Hackney. In 1982, he performed at Chats Palace in Homerton in support of the Newton Rose campaign, bringing together poetry, culture and community activism.
He will also formally open this year’s Children’s Black Book Fair UK.
The remaining 38 names will be kept secret until the Legacy Steps are officially unveiled on Saturday.
‘Part of our Hackney family’
Organisers acknowledge that the borough’s literary story extends far beyond the 48 available steps.
CBBF UK co-founder Juliet Coley said a number of prominent writers and creatives narrowly missed inclusion.
“If there had been more steps, we would have loved to have included the other amazing shortlisted candidates who included Talawa playwright Malakaï, along with Bernardine Evaristo, whose work includes fiction set in Hackney; novelist Dreda Say Mitchell MBE, whose writing has drawn on the borough; along with BAFTA-winning poet and writer Dean Atta; and activist, artist and writer Jacob V Joyce.
“They may not have a name on these stairs, but we consider them part of our Hackney family and part of the story these steps celebrate.”
For organisers, the Legacy Steps are intended to do more than recognise established names. They are designed to connect generations and introduce children to people who have shaped literature, publishing, journalism, music, television and wider British culture.
For the young writers attending the fair, the message is deliberately simple:
Great writers have come from Hackney, great writers are in Hackney, and the next great Hackney writer could be you.
Visitors will be invited to walk the staircase, recognise familiar names, discover new ones and take photographs on the installation.
And among the children climbing those stairs this weekend could be a future author, poet, playwright or songwriter whose name may one day join them.
The Hackney Writers Legacy Steps form part of the Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2026 library takeover, celebrating Black children’s literature, young authors, family reading, representation and the power of storytelling.
The Children’s Black Book Fair UK takes place at Dalston CLR James Library, Hackney, on Saturday 22 August 2026. The event is free and open to all.