Kid’s Author Event: Tọlá Okogwu 'Bím Blake’s Hot Takes' (Ages 9+)

Join Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop this May half term for a brilliant event with bestselling author Tọlá Okogwu celebrating her hilarious and heartfelt new series Bím Blake’s Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me, published by Puffin.

Perfect for readers aged 9+, this lively event will include chat about the inspiration behind Bím Blake, the chaos of starting secondary school, friendship dramas, embarrassing family moments and creating relatable characters, alongside audience questions and plenty of laughs along the way. ✏️✨📚

Meet Bím Blake — your funny, honest and wonderfully dramatic new fictional best friend. Year Seven is already proving FAR more complicated than expected… from uncool pencil cases and awkward school skirts to friendship mishaps, family chaos and a very distracting cute new boy. Add three annoying older brothers, feuding aunties and a dad suddenly making TikToks, and life is officially A LOT.

Warm, witty and packed with personality, Bím Blake’s Hot Takes is a hugely relatable and highly illustrated new tween series perfect for fans of Dork Diaries, Lottie Brooks and Cringe Club. Tọlá Okogwu brings humour, heart and authenticity to the ups and downs of growing up, friendship and finding confidence during the big transition to secondary school.

Tọlá is also the bestselling author of the acclaimed Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun series, and this exciting new diary-style adventure is already receiving glowing praise from some of children’s fiction’s biggest names.

A fantastic holiday event for tweens who love funny contemporary stories, illustrated fiction, big personalities and books that truly understand the rollercoaster of growing up.

— and every child takes home their own copy of Bìm Blake's Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn't Define Me to treasure!

Important Information:

• Suitable for children aged 9+
• Event duration: approx. 45minutes (includes signing)
• Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a paperback copy of the book RRP £8.99)
• 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: [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Happy Reading Children's Bookshop