Local school teacher turned children’s author Ian Young has extended his run of popular ’fire pit readings’ to include a festive slot on Thursday December 23, from 4pm-5pm.

The readings, which concluded this week, have been popular with homeschool families as well as local schools, with 26 pupils from the combined Year 5/6 at Goodrich Primary School attending last week. Gathered round the fire with a cup of hot blackcurrant juice, and sheltered beneath a beautiful chestnut and larch roundhouse, children have been listening to Ian reading extracts from his new fantasy novel for 8-12 year olds, ’Cry of the Norwolf’. Following the reading, Ian leads the group in an informal discussion on the joys and challenges of creative writing, and offers a few tips for young aspiring authors.

There are 20 ’young author’ places available for the reading on December 23, while parents and siblings welcome in addition to those places.

There is no charge for these events, which take place near Kerne Bridge, but copies of ’Cry of the Norwolf’ will be available to buy and Ian will be on hand to sign and dedicate copies as required. Anyone who would like to book a place can do so via Facebook @thewinterscarchronicles or e-mail [email protected].