Julia, along with her husband Malcolm and a small band of actors, brought their unique and uplifting show to The Minerva Theatre to support the work of local charity, the Children’s BookFest (CBF).

Since Julia’s first book, ‘A Squash and a Squeeze,’ was published in 1993, her stories have woven their way through our homes and hearts, with her rhymes becoming part of the day-to-day language for so many of us. So, the experience of watching the woman who created these gems re-enacting them live on stage, with 300 people per show being word-perfect with their call and response, was reminiscent of a rock legend playing their greatest hits to an intimate gathering of devoted fans.

With so many wonderful stories to choose from, it must have been difficult to narrow them down for a live performance, but ‘The Baddies,’ was a particular favourite, as was, of course, ‘The Gruffalo,’ (with a starring performance from the OG himself) and audiences were also introduced to Julia’s latest book for MacMillan, ‘The Bower Bird.’

Local independent bookseller, One Tree Books, had a huge selection of Julia’s books on offer, and the joyful buzz of excited children waiting to meet Julia, whilst being serenaded by her husband Malcolm on his guitar, was infectious. Children and their grown-ups queued patiently, in some cases for over an hour and a half, for the chance to have their books signed by the woman herself.