Families can join London's largest children's books and pets party this half term.
Some of the UK's best-known authors will be sharing the screen with their furry friends on Saturday (Feb 20) at the online Barnes Children’s Literature Festival.
Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell, Blue Peter Presenter Konnie Huq and Gruffalo creator Axel Scheffler are among those attending the ‘Pet Parade’.
Festival Director Amanda Brettargh said:
“This year has got off to such a dreadful start with schools closed and families once again doing such a wonderful job of juggling working from home with online learning, we wanted to support them”
“We love children's books in Barnes and if there's one thing we love just as much it's our pets. Thanks to our amazing authors and illustrators we've got cats, dogs, tortoises, chickens, guinea pigs and geckos galore and we hope this will give the kids something to look forward to over half term, a little ray of sunshine in our wonky world.”
The pet parade will take place on
Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon, storyteller David Almond and illustrators Nick Sharratt, Lydia Monks and Emma Chichester Clark will also join the line-up.
Children will have the chance to win a box of books for their school by voting for their favourite pet who will be presented with the virtual 'Best In Show' badge.
The free event can be streamed from the festival's website.
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