POPULAR children’s authors and illustrators will help youngsters delve into the weird and wonderful world of books at an upcoming exhibition.

The art of the picture book will be celebrated at the upcoming Boo! Telling Tall Tales exhibition, which will take place at Darlington’s Crown Street Library from Wednesday, September 9 to Thursday, October 29.

The exhibition aims to inspire youngsters to read, draw and create their own stories through interactive sessions and visits from leading authors and illustrators.

With walls adorned with quotes and pictures from Alice in Wonderland, the exhibition will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s much-loved children’s novel.

Artist and curator of the exhibition, Norma Kyle said: “I just thought that it would be lovely to do something for families and children.

“Little children often wander into the gallery space but they don’t necessarily understand what the work is about.

“There is going to be comfortable seating, games to play and colouring to do, so hopefully it will make people stay longer and read.

“The space will hopefully make the books come alive.”

Throughout the exhibition, a range of writers and illustrators will be hosting interactive workshops for children, adults and professional artists.

Some of the artists taking part are Rupert the Bear and Wallace and Gromit illustrator, Stuart Trotter, from County Durham, who previously worked on the Postman Pat series, and Darlington born artist, illustrator and author Liz Million.

Also taking part is editor of The Northern Echo and author of the Monstrous Morals series, Peter Barron, together with his illustrator Paul Wick.

Other illustrators include Amy Houghton, Kim McDermottroe and Jessica Shepherd, the author and illustrator of Grandma, a picture book aimed to help young children cope with their ageing relatives’ dementia.

The exhibition launches on Wednesday, September 9 and an opening event will be held at 10.30am on Saturday, September 12 featuring a workshop by Mr Barron and Mr Wickes and a performance of the Monstrous Morals book, Fidgety Bridget Wrigglesworth by youngsters from theatre group, Stagecoach.

To mark 150 years of Alice in Wonderland, historian and deputy editor of The Northern Echo, Chris Lloyd, will give a talk on the enduring popularity of Lewis Carroll’s book, the things that inspired his writing and his connection to Croft-on-Tees and Darlington.

The talk will be held at 6.30pm on Friday, October 23 as part of a party to mark the library’s 130th anniversary, which takes place from 6pm to 8pm.

Throughout half term, drawing sessions for youngsters and adults will also be hosted by artists, including Anton Heck, Nick Kennedy, John Chadwick and Stuart Trotter.

For more information visit creativedarlington.org.uk