THE first Borders book festival created exclusively for young people saw more than 1000 children enjoy work with authors at events in Peebles.

Entitled read–a-licious, the festival - which was held at various venues, including the town’s Eastgate Theatre, library, primary and secondary schools - celebrated both Peebles Creative Place 2014 and Book Week Scotland.

The authors taking part were Kenneth Steven, Lari Don, Dan Freedman, Vivian French, Lilian Ross, Barry Hutchison and Emily Dodd. In addition, illustrator Dave Sutton held a character creation workshop. Dave added: “Thanks to everyone who came along, created such amazingly idiosyncratic, wonderful and personal character – and gave them stories!” Dave also illustrated many of the sessions including Boogie with Books for pre-school kids and Barry Hutchison’s Eastgate Theatre session when Barry explained the best thing about being a writer: “Well, I get to sit around and imagine a lot. I spend one hour writing and six hours imagining.” Anyone expecting a book festival to be quiet and studious was in for a huge surprise as children interacted with the writers, sang in Scots with writer/performer Lilian Ross, danced with Alex Emerson at Boogie with Books, created a sound tunnel full of spooky sounds with Moira Morrison and generated a huge rhythm section playing on over 35 drums led by Nomad Beat’s Alison Cameron.

As part of Book Week Scotland, first year Peebles High School pupils designed new covers for established or imagined books. A judging panel led by Dave Sutton decided James Culshaw’s design for Adventures in Kowaehai was the one that best met the brief. James was awarded a signed book by Dan Freedman and vouchers for the theatre.

Read-a-licious was the latest event in the Peebles Creative Place 2014 calendar. Co-ordinator Alex Emerson said: “I had high expectations that this festival could really engage young people with books, it exceeded all of them.

“First of all I thank all of the teachers, librarians, and organisers who gave their time to helping to plan and structure this huge and complex event. Special thanks to Alison Tait, Librarian and all the staff at Peebles Library and to Ruth Fry, Librarian of Peebes High School. Read-a-licious brought a selection of the finest, most imaginative writers into our community and the response of our young people excited and inspired every one of them. The children taking part in the workshops were full of enthusiasm, fresh ideas and fun. I hope the read-a-licious 2014 festival is the first of many.”