SOME of the region’s students have been getting inspired thanks to a visit from a children's author and artist.

Pupils at Marhamchurch C of E Academy recently enjoyed a story time with a delightful twist when the author and illustrator turned up to read it this term.

Writer Ian Clarkson, affectionately known as ‘Bear’, and artist Michele Illing joined the children in Reception and Year 1 to read Ian’s book, The Bear Who Found His Way.

The story follows a bear named River and the choices he makes to reconnect with nature and the environment. With the story’s interesting themes, pupils were captivated by the tale, eagerly asking questions and exploring some of the topics the book raised. On top of this, they were also treated to a close-up look at Michele’s original watercolour illustrations, which brought the story vividly to life.

The school has expressed that the visit plays a part in its commitment to inspiring a love of reading, with all classes having dedicated read-aloud time, where teachers share engaging and challenging texts with pupils.

Commenting on the visit, Deirdre Petersen, headteacher at Marhamchurch C of E Academy has praised the occasion, saying storytelling ‘opens minds’ and ‘sparks curiosity’ among students.

She said: “Bear and Michele were a wonderful double act. You could see the children hanging on every word. Storytelling like this opens minds, sparks curiosity, and makes learning feel magical.”

Tracey Cleverly, CEO of Learning Academy Partnership added that visits such as this inspire creativity among the children and shows them

She said: “Events like this are special for children. Having the author and illustrator visit in person brings the story to life in a way that’s vivid and relatable. It shows children the creativity behind the scenes and reminds them anything is possible when creativity comes alive.”