THOUSANDS of children met their favourite authors and illustrators at a free festival in Malvern.
The Great Malvern Festival of Stories for Children saw schools and families in droves to learn more about their favourite stories.
Stories were told through acting, puppets and even through clay, thanks to Aardman (the creators of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep) running workshops at the event.
The event, hosted in partnership with Boffy Arts and Malvern District Council, had famous faces in attendance.
Among the famous names were Francesca Simon, known for writing the popular Horrid Henry series, and Lydia Monks who wrote the best-selling What the Ladybird Heard books.
Steve Boffy, event manager, said: "I genuinely believe that we, in those few hours that they are here, can inspire an interest for a lifetime.
"With some schools they organised for all the children to bring a book and get it signed - to see children go home with a book and be really proud that they got one signed.
"In some areas where I have worked, particularly where there are children who come from homes without many books, that is a really great thing.
"You have reached out and all of this can be life-changing."
Between Tuesday and Friday (October 24 and 27), over a thousand pupils from schools across Malvern visited the festival, which spread across multiple locations in the town.
As of today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday), families can walk around and get involved in the fun too.
Acclaimed author and illustrator Lydia Monks said her passion for writing and drawing came from school and explained how she was always caught doodling in her books.
"It brings books to life a little bit - in the show, I talk a little bit about how I started and used to draw, and you hope it makes it feel more real and not something so far out of reach for them," she said.
"We all write stories and draw when we are little, so it is continuing that."
Hayley Rowet attended the event with her mum, Sue, and two children, Sophie and Oliver.
She said: "Anything arts and crafts the children love, so this is so good for them.
"They have enjoyed it, and my son is taking an interest - he's only two and a half.
"They are using their artistic skills and imagination, not looking at a screen, which is important."
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