I’ve just spent the last two days being reminded of the magic of children.

Yesterday I attended a ‘Better Start’ conference in Blackpool, looking at the role the whole community plays in bringing up healthy children. There were some inspirational speakers, including Trevor Hopkins who spoke about all the things that make people feel safe and happy. His long list ended in spirituality, religion and magic. Remarking on how many in academic spheres often criticise him for adding magic he stated (here I paraphrase): ‘Well, you all know children. Children are magic.’

Today is World Book Day, and I was given an opportunity to see again the magic of children when I undertook my first Author Visit to Class 3 of North Wheatley Primary School. I did a short reading, after which I was preparing myself for blank faces – only to experience quite the opposite. For the next half hour – and then again after break – I was answering dozens of interesting and intriguing questions from these bright and lively pupils. Should Lizzie have gone through the portal? Would I have gone through the portal? (And then I was caught out by ‘what’s your favourite song’!) I was bowled over by the depth of thought that the children applied to their reading.

The morning finished with the children writing storylines for adventures through their own portals, and once again I was massively impressed by their imagination and creativity. Thanks to the Head teacher, Joanna Hall, for inviting me and special thanks to the class teacher, Kate Bailey, whose preparation made the session a real pleasure.