The Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading

Join us for an evening with author, journalist, and critic Sam Leith as he discusses his acclaimed book The Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading.

Hailed as “one of the best surveys of children’s literature I’ve read” by Phillip Pullman, The Haunted Wood explores how the books we grow up with shape our imaginations, values, and the stories we tell for life. Longlisted for Blackwell’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year and celebrated by critics as “gloriously entertaining” (Tom Holland), “moving and wistful” (The Times), and “marvellously charming” (Literary Review), the book is already a modern classic of literary history.

With the paperback edition publishing on 4th September 2025, featuring the much-loved illustrations of the hardback, this is the perfect opportunity to hear directly from Sam about his inspiration, discoveries, and the enduring magic of childhood reading.