CHILDREN and parents in Cirencester can look forward to a top line up of events at this year's Children's Book Week from July 25-30.

Previously called the Children's Literary Festival, the Book Week promises to be bigger than ever as award winning authors and illustrators bring a great mix of funny new characters and thrilling tales to Cirencester.

Opening the week at Cirencester Library will be Jill Lewis and Deborah Allwright, the double act behind ‘Don’t Read This Book’ and the brand new ‘Hooray For Knickers.”

Aimed at children from 3-7 years old, the event will be an interactive humorous session including a look at Deborah’s illustrator sketch book from where the story developed.

Other events will cater for different age groups – even to adults.

Author Andy Briggs will share an exciting journey through the world’s most amazing gadgets as he invites readers to enter his latest book series, ‘Iron Fist (The Inventory)’ finishing with a quiz.

Local author, Christopher Edge, will be giving a reading of his latest book, ‘The Many Worlds of Albie Bright’, a heartwarming story that tackles some big questions.

For smaller children, Jo Empson brings a chimpanzee activity event with a fun Show and Tell.

Then she will show everyone how to draw a chimpanzee along with a chimp trail craft activity and book signing.

Older children will be delighted to welcome back Lauren St John who opened Octavia’s Bookshop in 2011 and appeared at the Festival in 2014.

She will be talking about her latest books, ‘Operation Rhino’ and ‘The Glory’.

A big fan of the events, Antonia Foote, age 9 said: “I love Book Week because it is really exciting to meet the authors of the books I am reading.”

Funded by the Bingham Library Trust and organised by Gloucestershire Library Service and Octavia’s Bookshop, Book Week is now in its fourth year with many of the events being sold out.

Anne Riley from the Library Service is looking forward to Book Week: “We are thrilled with this year’s line-up which will offer different types of opportunities for children to get involved in the exciting world of books and reading. Tickets have already started selling so anyone who has a favourite author should get in touch with the Library or Octavia’s Bookshop to get their tickets as soon as they can.”

The events will once again be split between Cirencester Library and Octavia’s Bookshop with one taking place in the Bingham Art Gallery when Sean Taylor Sean will be bringing along his trick bag of riddles, stories and rhymes to go alongside his new book, ‘Brave Bear’.

Shirley Alexander, vice-chairman and lead trustee for collections, exhibitions and interpretation said: “The Bingham Library Trust is delighted to sponsor Book Week 2016 as it fulfils so much of Daniel Bingham's philosophy; continuing our commitment in ensuring that his legacy lives on for the benefit of Cirencester.”

Tickets for each event will be just £2 with proceeds going back to the Trust.

The library will be reaching out to disadvantaged children and those suffering from social exclusion so they can also take part.

  •  You can follow news of the events on the Facebook page CirencesterBookWeek and Twitter feed @cirenbookweek.
  • Tickets available from the Library or Octavia’s Bookshop.

The full line up is confirmed as follows:

Monday 25th July

  • Jill Lewis and Deborah Allwright - 11am  - Cirencester Library  - A fun, interactive workshop with colouring and knickers! (aged 3-7)
  • Christopher Edge  - 2.30pm  - Octavia's Bookshop - Reading, Q&A and signing (aged 9+)

Tuesday 26th July

  • Abi Elphinstone  - 11am  - Cirencester Library - The adventures behind the books (aged 8-12)
  • Mark Lowery - 2.30pm  - Octavia's Bookshop  - An interactive talk about reading and writing with games, magic and lots of fun (aged 7-11)

Wednesday 27th July 

  • Sean Taylor  - 11am  - Bingham Gallery  - Riddles, stories, rhymes and drawing for children (aged 3-6)
  • Jane Hardstaff   - 2.30pm  - Octavia's Bookshop  - Reading from Jane’s new book plus the inspiration behind (aged 9-12)

Thursday 28th July

  • Andy Briggs   - 11am  - Cirencester Library  - An exciting journey through the world’s most amazing gadgets with a quiz! (aged 9-adult)
  • Claire Barker   - 2.30pm   - Octavia's Bookshop   - Hear all about life on a little farm with funny animal friends alongside a reading and signing (aged 6-10)

Friday 29th July

  • Jo Empson  - 11am  - Cirencester Library  - BEING A CHIMP! With chimp trail craft activity and a book signing (aged 4+)
  • Jane Elson  - 2.30pm  - Octavia's Bookshop  - Back in time from the modern day to the 1940s with a dramatic reading (aged 9-11)

Saturday 30th July

  • Lauren St John  - 2.30pm  - Octavia's Bookshop  - Reading, Q&A and signing (aged 8-teens)