Moreton First pupils in Weston Rhyn were recently spoilt for chosen when an Autumn Mini Literature Festival for Years 5 and 6 was held.

They had the opportunity to meet not one but two fabulous authors to hear all about the ideas behind their new books.

The first author was the best-selling children’s author R. J. Palacio whose global bestselling Wonder was also made into a major movie starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. Year 5 and 6 joined pupils at Oswestry’s Woodside School to hear about Palacio’s latest work. White Bird is a graphic novel focused on Julian, Auggie Pullman’s classroom bully who fans of Wonder will remember and who is seen in a new light as he discovers the moving and powerful tale of his grandmother, who was hidden during the Second World War.

Then they met children’s author, Anna Fargher, who took them on a literary adventure when she shared with them her first published book, The Umbrella Mouse.

Moreton First pupils were immersed in the timeless tale of courage, resistance and friendship. The heart stopping adventure set in 1944 London under attack, describes how young mouse Pip Hanway's safe and quiet world is turned upside down when her home, umbrella shop James Smith & Sons, is destroyed by a bomb.

Moreton First pupil, Amelie, said: “I enjoyed listening to her speak about what had inspired her to write her novels.” Matilda adds: “I really enjoyed how Anna interacted with us because she showed us how to send a secret message using invisible ink with a white birthday candle and food colouring. Anna Fargher also told us about all the characters in her book and how she made them up. All the characters were based on real people in the French resistance. It also moved me that she was inspired to write the umbrella mouse because her grandfather fought in the war.”