WELL-KNOWN author illustrators Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve battled through blizzard conditions to thrill children at Great Malvern Primary School with a book launch visit on World Book Day.

The pair visited the school on Pickersleigh Road, Malvern on Thursday, March 1 to launch Sarah McIntyre’s new book, The New Neighbours, a bright and colourful picture book about welcoming new and unusual people in to your community.

With a combined total of over 50 books between them, authors and illustrators Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve gave inspiring talks to children in the school as well as drawing tutorials and elaborate book signings with children not only getting their book signed but their own personalised illustrations in each book too.

Nikki Selby, head of school, said: “It was fantastic to see two such famous authors at our school in Malvern.

"Events such as World Book Day are important to inspire our children to develop a love of reading. Sarah and Philip were just superb and fired the imaginations of some of the youngest children in the school with storytelling and writing workshops."

The children of Great Malvern Primary welcomed their guests in style by dressing up as book characters, writing a whole school book and studying the author’s work before the visit.

The school had also hosted a pop up bookshop from Malvern Book Cooperative in the days before the visit ensuring all children had access to the authors’ books.

Sarah McIntyre said: “It was a pleasure to launch my new book The New Neighbours at Great Malvern Primary.

"The kids were so well prepared, and excited, and welcoming. We could tell that the people who work at this school really put their heart into making it a wonderfully caring and inspiring environment.

"If I lived in Great Malvern, I'd be very proud of this school.”

Illustrator and writer Sarah McIntyre is easy to spot in her trade mark pointy glasses and hats.

She writes and draws picture books and comics herself but she also illustrates books for other people, including Giles Andreae, Alan MacDonald, Gillian Rogerson, Anne Cottringer and Claire Freedman.

Philip Reeve has been writing for children and young adults since 2001. His books include Railhead, Mortal Engines, Here Lies Arthur and Goblins. He also works with Sarah McIntyre on highly illustrated books for slightly younger readers – Oliver and the Seawigs, Cakes in Space, Pugs of the Frozen North and Jinks and O’Hare Funfair Repair.

Philip’s book Mortal Engines is currently being made in to an epic film produced by Peter Jackson and is due for release later in 2018.