Story-loving families will have the opportunity to meet the author behind the colourful Sunburst City Dragons books this autumn.
Lancaster-based Jane Huddleston will be sharing the escapades of her friendly dragon family at an online event as part of Festival Bowland on the evening of 20th September, followed by a live reading at Lancaster Library's Fun Palace celebrations on Saturday 1st October.
Aimed at children aged four to eight years old, the books introduce Lucy, Jack, Alice, Theo and the rest of the clan who live in a cave on the side of a mountain and spend their days working playing and having adventures, alongside two young friends who help them stay hidden from human eyes.
Based on tales told to her own children, Jane created this series of fun, rhyming picture books, complete with lovely illustrations by David Robinson, during walks through her local countryside.
Sandra Silk, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Project Officer, said: "It's fantastic to know that Bowland's magical landscape was part of Jane's inspiration for her dragon tales. You never know what you might find when you set off for your next adventure!"
Tom Brown, Reading Development Officer with Lancashire County Council, who is organising the library event, said: "It will be lovely to welcome people to hear Jane tell her fantastical stories at Lancaster Library as part of the national Fun Palace celebrations. It promises to be an entertaining event for families of little ones – we can't wait."
County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "There are few things in life as enjoyable as exploring the great outdoors or enjoying a good book.
"It's important that we do everything we can to encourage our children to read more regularly for pleasure, and to appreciate the joy of the great British countryside.
"Both of these things will come together when Jane Huddleston drops by Lancaster Library for its Fun Palace celebrations next month."
The online event, which runs from 6-6.30pm, will follow Jane on a virtual journey as she climbs Clougha Pike on the edge of the Bowland Fells to read from her books and reveal the landscapes which inspired them. After the stories Jane will be live online to chat about her engaging characters.
A face-to-face storytelling session will then take place at the library in Market Square, Lancaster, on 1st October, starting at 11am and finishing at 11.30am.
Both events are free to attend. Places at the online event on the evening of 20th September need to be booked in advance by emailing sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk. No booking is needed for the Fun Palace session at Lancaster Library, but for more information please contact lancaster.library@lancashire.gov.uk