CHILDREN’S Laureate and How To Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell spoke to primary school pupils from all over Swindon about life as an author.

Cressida popped in to Dorcan Academy to chat to youngsters from Covingham, Colebrook, Liden, and Nythe Primary Schools while promoting the latest book in the Wizards of Once series.

She said: “I loved talking to the children and getting them excited about books because their reactions remind me why I write. Reading is a very modern magic and brings out creativity, empathy and intelligence.

“Swindon's youth literature festival is a marvellous idea, it’s unique and unusual. I think it’s wonderful because children should see an author event at least once because it can inspire them.”

Dorcan Academy librarian Kate Murphy arranged the visit and oversees the Swindon Youth Festival of Literature. She said: “ It was a real honour to have Cressida here, the buzz has been amazing and she’s very supportive of librarians.

“It’s so lovely to have the primary schools here doing something fun and exciting like this because they’re our future students.”