A stellar line-up of authors and illustrators entertained hundreds of families at the fourth STAHS Children’s Book Festival on Saturday.

MG Leonard, bestselling author of the Beetle Boy and Twitchers series, teamed up with her Adventures on Trains co-author Sam Sedgman in the signing tent, following hugely popular individual talks.

Manjeet Mann, Amanda Quartey and Steven Vinacour also captivated young readers at the event, which took place at the Prep and was attended by more than 1,000 people.

Further highlights included a literary trail, a magic show, children’s yoga in the forest, storytelling sessions by local authors, an appearance from Julia Donaldson’s Zog, and – in-keeping with the time travel theme – a Tardis!

The fourth BookFest also featured a poetry competition for local primary school children, a packed food court, and a book shop courtesy of St Albans’ own Books on the Hill, plus free face painting, lithography sessions and craft activities.

Mike Bryant, Head of STAHS Prep, said: ‘It was a delight to welcome both members of the STAHS and wider Wheathampstead and St Albans community on Saturday in what was a fabulous celebration of children’s literature.

‘I am very grateful to all the authors and illustrators who inspired children and adults alike with their fabulous talks. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and my three-year-old son cannot believe that he got to meet Zog!’