THE artist whose drawings bring Rupert Bear to life for young readers, officially opened a Newcastle school library yesterday.

Illustrator Stuart Trotter, from Ferryhill, County Durham, was the guest of honour at the official opening of the new Newcastle School for Boys Infants Library in Gosforth.

Not only did Stuart – who is also an approved illustrator of Postman Pat, Kipper, and Wallace and Gromit – declare the library open, but he also lent the pupils a helping hand to create their own illustrated picture books.

Newcastle School for Boys is the city’s only independent all boys school for pupils aged between three and 18 and the new library will cater specifically for the reading needs of those from nursery to Year 2.

Stuart, who is also an author and publisher of children’s books, spent the day at the school working with the children and sharing some of the skills which have made him one of the UK’s top children’s book illustrators.

“It is a really nice, well stocked library. It is good for the children to go in and read the sort of books that I illustrate” said Stuart.

Sian Woosnam, head of infants said, “I am delighted to have the new library open so that boys of all ages are able to have access to a wide range of books to encourage reading for pleasure and independent research skills.''