BOB the Builder creator Curtis Jobling met pupils from across the town as part of a literary event this week.
The illustrator, animator and author visited the Education Village in Darlington as part of the Northern Children's Book Festival.
Pupils from schools across Darlington got the chance to meet Mr Jobling, and fellow author Helen Peters. Ms Peters visited Hurworth Primary and Bishopton Redmarshall Primary Schools on Tuesday and showcased her farmyard animal rescue books.
While Mr Jobling attended The Education Village and spoke to year sevens and eights.
He also talked to year fives and sixes from Springfield and Gurney Pease Schools.
Mr Jobling, the designer of the original Bob the Builder books, writes black comedy horror books for children and teens.
His message to pupils was to keep doing the hobbies they enjoyed, whether it was painting, dancing, drawing or reading, so they too could make a living doing what they love the most.
For more information about the festival visit www.northernchildrensbookfestival.org.uk
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