Festival gives Norfolk pupils a chance to delve into world of literature

School pupils from across the county have been having fun delving into the world of literature for the annual Norfolk Children's Book Festival.

The event, which was at Norwich Cathedral and part of the Young Norfolk Arts Festival, saw about 790 children from 28 Norfolk schools take part.

They enjoyed a day packed full of workshops and talks by authors including Mark Walden, Helen Dennis and Sarah Mussi.

Cheryl Wood, head librarian at Norwich School, said: 'The festival was about enthusing children about books and creating or expanding a love of reading.

'It was great to have so many schools from across Norfolk involved.'

Among the young people taking part was 14-year-old Norwich School pupil Eleanor Rhodes-Leeder.

'It's really interesting to hear the authors talking about their books,' she said.

'My favourite books are the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. It's just really entertaining. It has lots and lots of genres mixed together and it's a really long series so there are lots of books.'

Fellow Norwich School pupil Grace Murray, 14, said: 'I really like how all the schools joined together for the festival and I thought the first speaker, Mark Walden, was really entertaining.

'I love the Harry Potter series because I can read them with my sister. There's so much to discover every time you read them.

'When I was younger I would sometimes skip some of the detail but reading them now they have deeper meanings.'

The festival also saw Norwich School pupil Natasha Lee, 11, awarded first prize in the creative writing competition for her story Blackbird.

She said: 'I was surprised and really happy to win.

'My story is about mainly emotions and peer pressure. It's about the choices that you have in life.'

Martha Shawyer, 12, from Sheringham High School, won second prize for her story Mirror Mirror and fellow Sheringham High pupil Harry Moorfoot, 12, came third for his untitled story which he described as an Indiana Jones-style tale with a twist.

The Norfolk Children's Book Festival was part of the Young Norfolk Arts Festival which runs until July 10.

For more information about YNAF events, visit www.ynaf.org.uk

Pupils share their top 10 books

Norwich School pupils Grace Murray, Eleanor Rhodes-Leeder, Rohan Chauhan, Alastair Wyllie, Adam Johnson, Oliver New and James Byrne share their top 10 books:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling

His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman

Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl

Railhead by Philip Reeve

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Welkin Weasels series by Garry Kilworth

Mortal Engines series by Philip Reeve

Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden