Writing pair at book day

Two children’s authors will be the guests at a special Children’s Book Day in a Shropshire town next week.

Husband and wife writing team Andrew and Polly Peters have written over 50 books, both as a couple and independently, and have previously been nominated for the Carnegie Medal, the most prestigious prize in children’s literature.

The couple, who live in Lydbury North, will be signing books and reading from their new titles at The Longmynd Hotel in Church Stretton on October 18 as part of the annual children’s book day by Church Stretton’s Burway Bookshop, which starts at 2pm. Attractions include a book quiz with prizes, and 20 per cent off books on display.

Mr and Mrs Peters will be there from 5.30pm.

Mr Peters will read from his new mystery novel Roar Bull, Roar, based on the Shropshire myth of the Roaring Bull of Bagbury.

Mr Peters said: “The setting is Priestcastle, a small country town, not unlike Bishop’s Castle. The two main characters are Jan and Marie, who come with their father from the Czech Republic when he gets a job teaching maths at the local school.

“It’s an adventure book for seven to 12 year olds.”

Mr Peters has just signed a deal with Orchard Press to write two more adventure books for eight to 13 year olds.

After writing children’s poetry for 20 years, the best of his verse has just been collected into an anthology called Mad, Bad & Dangerously Haddock, which received good reviews in the Sunday papers.

Polly Peters will also be reading from her new picture book for younger children called Ding Dong Bag.

The couple have donated copies of their new books to Bishop’s Castle Library.

Call (01694) 723388 for more information about next week’s event.