WITH school summer holidays around the corner, Cirencester is gearing up for its annual literary festival aimed at children.

And children attending the opening event of the festival on Monday, July 27 are being urged to sharpen their pencils and get out their paints.

Award winning author, Nicola Davies, is offering a set of signed books for the best picture of an animal to be brought to her event at 11am at Cirencester Library.

The entries will be judged by Nicola herself at the end of her event and the winning entry will be displayed at a special art show at Bingham Art Gallery on Saturday, August 8, along with other artwork completed during the week-long Festival.

The Festival has once again secured an amazing line up of award winning authors with events taking place each day from Monday, July 27-Saturday, August 1.

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.

Tickets for each event are just £2 with proceeds going to the Bingham Library Trust. They are on sale now at Octavia’s Bookshop and Cirencester Library which will also be reaching out to disadvantaged children and those suffering from social exclusion so they can take part.

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

The full line up is confirmed as follows:

Monday, July 27.

  • 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. Aged 5+.
  • Kate Scott - 2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. Spy-themed activities with book signing. Aged 7-11.

Tuesday, July 28.

  • Ian Whybrow -11am, Cirencester Library. A Bucketful of Stories - reading and interactive event with a signing. Aged 4-6.
  • Helen Peters - 2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. The Farm Beneath The Water. Aged 9-11.

Wednesday, July 29.

  • Sophie E Tallis - 11am, Bingham Gallery. Illustration workshop plus competition for best artwork. Aged 5-10.
  • Tracey Corderoy -2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. Introducing Shifty McGifty & Slippery Sam with reading and craft activities. Aged 4-7.

Thursday, July 30.

  • Faye Hanson - 11am, Cirencester Library. Wondering Workshop - reading, drawing and Daydreamer Boy draw-a-long plus competition for best artwork. Aged 4-9.
  • Emily Gravett - 2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. Illustration, reading and signing plus competition for best artwork. Aged 6+.

Friday, July 31.

  • 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. Aged 4-7.
  • Ben Davis - 2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. Reading and signing with 'Create a Hero' activity. Aged 10+.

Saturday, August 1.

  • Piers Torday -2.30pm, Octavia's Bookshop. Reading, Q&A and signing. Aged 8-12.