Schoolkids in Renfrewshire were treated to a special visit from a children's illustrator and author.
Pupils at Bridge of Weir Primary enjoyed hearing from Martin Brown, who is best known for his work as the illustrator of the best-selling Horrible Histories series.
During his visit to the school yesterday, Martin gave a presentation to schoolkids in the assembly hall before stopping by several classrooms to teach pupils his drawing techniques.
The event was organised to help promote new book Horrible Histories: The Worst in the World, which has been released to celebrate the last 30 years of the beloved series.
Martin signed around 70 copies of books that had been pre-ordered from The Ginger Cat Children's Bookshop, which recently moved from Kilmacolm to Main Street, in Bridge of Weir.
Aileen Jeffrey, who owns the bookshop, helped arrange the school event, which saw many pupils dressed up as their favourite historical figures.
She told The Gazette: "It was such a privilege to spend the day with Martin.
"Recent research by the Book Trust has highlighted how school author visits have a positive impact on children's engagement with books, their motivation to read and write their own stories, and their future aspirations.
"This is why I love to visit schools and bring authors and illustrators along to share their passion for writing and illustrating with children."
Sharon Grant, deputy head of Bridge of Weir Primary, said: "We feel really lucky and privileged that Martin Brown came to visit as he is such a well-known and talented illustrator.
"We love Horrible Histories, so to have the person who illustrates the books in our school was amazing. Martin showed us how to create drawings and encouraged us to keep practising until we became good at drawing too – anyone can do it with practice!
"It was also great to see the books that he has written and loads of us ordered books to be signed. Having Martin in our school for a whole day gave us the opportunity to talk to him in smaller groups and we had loads of questions!
"It was especially exciting for Ross McKay, who was on his last day at Bridge of Weir Primary before moving to Australia – and Martin Brown is Australian!"
Martin said he had the "best time" at Bridge of Weir Primary.
He added: "The staff were brilliant, the kids were brilliant, the whole day was brilliant. But I knew it would be – you got that good-school vibe the moment you walked in.
"I was there to talk about the latest Horrible Histories book, The Worst in the World – our look back at the best worst bits of history, which we've done to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Some of the children even dressed up in historical costumes to mark the occasion – brilliantly of course.
"So hugest thanks to everyone, young and old(er) at Bridge of Weir Primary. And to Aileen from the totally amazing Ginger Cat Children’s Bookshop for making it all happen in the first place."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here