CIRENCESTER Children’s Literary Festival is back this summer from Monday, July 27 to Saturday, August 1.

Funded by the Bingham Library Trust and organised by Gloucestershire Library Service and Octavia’s Bookshop, the festival has just secured zoologist and award winning author Nicola Davies to open the event.

Her books for children include the best-selling A First Book of Nature, illustrated by Mark Hearld.

Nicola says her event will be a whistle-stop tour around the globe, guiding the audience through the wondrous, weird and whacky world of animals.

To add to the fun, there will be an artwork competition with children coming to event encouraged to bring in their own drawings of animals. Nicola will judge the entries and the winner will receive a signed set of her books.

There are events for all ages with highlights including Ian Whybrow, author of the famous Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs bringing a Bucketful of Stories and acclaimed illustrator Emily Gravett, celebrating the 10th anniversary of her prize-winner debut, Wolves, also holding a special drawing event and competition.

There is a theme of illustration to half the events this year and winning artwork will be displayed at a special opening of Bingham Art Gallery on Saturday, August 8.

Andrew Tubb on behalf of the Bingham Library Trust said: “As we build on the success of last year’s event I hope we will encourage as many children as possible to explore the wonderful world of the written word and illustrative creativity.”

The events will once again be split between Cirencester Library and Octavia’s Bookshop on Black Jack Street with one special illustration workshop by Sophie E Tallis taking place in the Bingham Art Gallery.

Tickets for each event will be just £2 with proceeds going back to the Trust.

The library will be reaching out to disadvantaged children and those suffering from social exclusion so they can also take part.

The Festival has its own Facebook page CirencesterLitFest and Twitter feed @CirenLitFest and will be sending out regular updates.

It will also be sending out information to schools in Gloucestershire.

The full line up is confirmed as follows: *Monday 27th July, Nicola Davies 11am Cirencester Library World of Animals' - a whistle-stop tour around the globe and guide through the wondrous, weird and whacky world of animals. Illustration competition. Age 5+.

*Monday 27th July, Kate Scott 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop Spy-themed activities with book signing. Ages 7-11.

*Tuesday 28th July, Ian Whybrow 11am Cirencester Library A Bucketful of Stories - reading and interactive event with a signing. Ages 4-6.

*Tuesday 28th July, Helen Peters 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop The Farm Beneath The Water. Ages 9-11.

*Wednesday 29th July, Sophie E Tallis 11am Bingham Gallery Illustration workshop plus competition for best artwork. Ages 5-10.

*Wednesday 29th July, Tracey Corderoy 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop Introducing Shifty McGifty & Slippery Sam with reading and craft activities. Ages 4-7.

*Thursday 30th July, Faye Hanson 11am Cirencester Library Wondering Workshop - reading, drawing and Daydreamer Boy draw-a-long plus competition for best artwork. Ages 4-9.

*Thursday 30th July, Emily Gravett 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop Illustration, reading and signing plus competition for best artwork. Ages 6+.

*Friday 31st July, Kristina Stephenson 11am Cirencester Library Theatrical reading of ‘Sir Charlie Stinky Socks – The Pirate’s Curse’, with costumes, props and a giant pop-up book. Ages 4-7.

*Friday 31st July, Ben Davis 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop Reading and signing with 'Create a Hero' activity. Ages 10+.

*Saturday 1st August, Piers Torday 2.30pm Octavia's Bookshop Reading, Q&A and signing Ages 8-12.