CHILDREN'S books were brought to life when an award-winning author visiting a bookshop in Moreton as part of national World Book Day Fest.

Tracey Corderoy , who has published more than 35 books since 2010, gave a story-telling session at Christmas Birds and Books on Saturday before encouraging the children to act out parts of the stories.

Children from St David's and Dormer House Schools, in Moreton, Kitebrook and Blockely enjoyed craft activities and even magic tricks in the courtyard.

Richard Kemp, who opened the bookshop last October in the former pop-up shop in Old Market Way, said he was pleased with how his first author event went.

"Tracey was wonderful," he said. "She really encouraged the children and got them engaged in story telling. The courtyard was really lively, it had a really nice atmosphere.

"I'm hoping we can repeat it and maybe start a story telling club and engage children in story telling and reading. Clearly they really like that.

"What came through loud and clear from all the visitors, literacy is their number one concern and seeing their children become good readers."