Children’s author drops in to shop to sign copies of latest book

CHILDREN’S author Julia Donaldson held a book signing in an independent book shop in Henley.

The creator of the Gruffalo and Room on the Broom was signing copies of her books at the Bell Bookshop to mark the release of her latest story, Paper Chase, which was published in September.

Illustrated by Victoria Sandøy, it follows two children, James, who has a book, and Ginger, who has a paper plane.

The pair meet under a tall tree and the story of their friendship is woven into how paper is made.

The signing ran for more than two hours during which Donaldson, who previously served as Children’s Laureate, spoke with 60 families.

Henley was the eighth and final stop on her book tour which started in Sussex and has taken her to Inverness.

She premiered the book at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August with a special reading.

The advertising for the event in Henley had been staggered, with posters first appearing in the shop before being promoted online later as Donaldson was keen that it was attended by local children after school.

Her first book A Squash and a Squeeze was published in 1993 and, since then, many of her works have been turned into animated films, including Stick Man and The Gruffalo’s Child.

Lexie Seabrook, three, and Raffie Seabrook, six, from Whitchurch Hill, came with their mother, Annie Van Reyk. Ms Van Reyk said: “They are very into her books. They have grown up reading them and listening to them.”

Lexie previously had a Gruffalo-themed birthday party and Raffie’s favourite Julia Donaldson story was The Smeds and the Smoos which follows two alien species, the red Smeds and the blue Smoos.

Arlo Adamson, six, met Donaldson with his siblings, Florrie, four, and Ottie, two.

He said he couldn’t pick his favourite book by the author as they were “all too good”, however he did enjoy The Snail and the Whale and Monkey Puzzle. Bertie Parker-Walklate, three, came to meet the children’s author with his friend Jasmine Rafiq, three.

His mother Natalie said: “We are huge Julia Donaldson fans in our house, so we couldn’t pass up this opportunity. They are always really lovely stories, and behind them the messages are always really good.”

Jasmine’s mum Nishma said: “They are really memorable books as well. I read them to her and she is good at remembering them.”