FAMILIES are invited to escape into a magical world of books at the Northern Children's Book Festival Gala Day later this month.

The Sunderland festival is the largest free annual reading celebration for young people in Europe.

What began as a two day event in 1983 has blossomed into a two week celebration with authors and illustrators meeting children in schools and libraries across the North-East.

Organised and run by all the region's public libraries, 14 of the UK's best loved children's writers and illustrators will attend the Gala Day Pop-Up festival on Saturday November 22.

As well as author sessions providing entertainment for all the family, there's also the chance to learn how to make your own pop-up book, find out how to do calligraphy or draw your favourite character on the Doodle Wall.

Mr Doom and Mrs Bloom will be livening things up with stories using puppetry, live music and song, while Emma Enchanted will be spreading her own brand of fairytale magic.

People can also have their photo taken with Alice in Wonderland and see if they can spot the Mad Hatter and other characters from the book out and about around town.

John Kelly, Sunderland City Council's Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, said: "The Northern Children's Book Festival was set up with the express purpose of bringing children together with some of the UK's top writers and illustrators and passing on the enjoyment of reading for pleasure. It promises to be a real treat for all the family."

For more information about the event at the City Library and Arts Centre and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and to reserve free tickets visit www.ncbfgaladay.co.uk

Although some workshops are already fully booked, a limited number of free tickets are still available for meet the author sessions and authors will be signing books after their sessions. There will also be a pop up book shop in the City Library.