Camilla Reid

Bestselling Early Year's Author

Camilla Reid is one of the UK’s most successful early years authors, known for her engaging, family-friendly books, including the Pip and Posy stories, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and the Peekaboo series, illustrated by Ingela Arrhenius. Camilla has written over 200 titles, with worldwide sales of over 40 million copies. As a passionate campaigner for early years reading, Camilla believes that the daily habit of sharing a book which entertains and inspires is key to the cognitive development and emotional security that are so essential for a child to thrive in school and beyond. She regularly speaks at events for early years experts, and recently appeared on the Cbeebies Parenting Download podcast. This year sees the publication of Camilla's new book I am Ready for School which is designed to prepare three to four year olds – and their parents – for starting reception.

09:30

1 Main programme

Keynote: Reclaiming the joy of reading in the Early Years

As reading for pleasure becomes a national priority, how do we keep it rooted in joy, imagination, and genuine shared experience? Camilla shares her perspective on what captures young children’s attention, why one-to-one shared reading remains such a powerful early ritual, and how thoughtful book selection shapes children’s first encounters with stories. Drawing on her engagement with early years settings and practitioners, she reflects on the key challenges she has encountered, and the small, everyday moments that bring books to life in busy environments. Offering an energising and warmly child-centred start to the day, the session sets the tone for a programme focused on strong foundations and connection.