Award-winning author Andy Stanton is to tour the north as part of the 20th anniversary of the Children’s Book Tour.
The creator of the nine-part Mr Gum series will host interactive sessions at schools across the Highlands next week, and will then head to Orkney and Shetland.
He will be at Glenurquhart and Culbokie Primary Schools on Monday and the next day he will head to Dornoch Academy and Halkirk Primary School.
Mr Stanton – who has won two Blue Peter Book Awards and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize – will then head to Orkney and visit St Andrews Primary School and Glaitness School on the Wednesday, and North Walls Community School and Stromness Primary School the next day.
He will then travel to Shetland on Friday for events at Sound Primary School and Whiteness Primary School.
During his visits, he will speak about his own journey to becoming an author and give pupils practical tips on using just one idea to start a story and what to do when you get stuck writing.
Mr Stanton said: “I can’t wait to perform again in Scotland. The kids are always so enthusiastic and responsive. As per usual, I’ll be capering around onstage, talking in silly voices and doing a lot of horrible, horrible singing.”
The Children’s Book Tour takes in both primary and secondary schools and has enthralled more than 100,000 children since it began in 1998. It is supported by Scottish Friendly and is organised by Scottish Book Trust.
Marc Lambert, chief executive of The Scottish Book Trust, said: “We’re delighted to host Andy Stanton for the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour.
“Andy’s events are always highly energetic and full of fun facts, and it’s wonderful that the tour will be revisiting the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland.”