JAMESTOWN Primary received a very special guest last week from award-winning author and illustrator Ed Vere.

Ed Vere’s books include the renowned Max series, featuring the fearless kitten Max, Banana and Bedtime for Monsters.

The first book in the series was hugely popular ranking in the New York Times bestseller list and was listed in the Sunday Times ‘100 Modern Children’s Classics’.

Ed, whose books are centred around the themes of friendship, tolerance and sharing, gave an interactive talk to the children and an illustration workshop.

The event was organised by The Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour, sponsored by Scottish Friendly and run by Scottish Book Trust.

In 2009, Ed’s book Mr Big was selected for the Booktrust’s first Booktime programme and 750,000 copies were sent to schools across the UK.

Ed’s latest book, Grumpy Frog, features a frog who is not grumpy at all. He really loves green, not pink but when a pink rabbit hops into view, Grumpy Frog has to learn to tolerate and share.

The author spoke with children about tolerance through the power of picture books and featured interactive storytelling and draw-along activities.

Jamestown Primary - which will soon join with Haldane to become Balloch Primary - were given top tips for illustrations and each pupil was given the chance to try drawing Ed's Grumpy Frog character.

Deputy head teacher Mrs Clephane said: "Ed Vere was fantastic. The children were so engaged, he told his stories and got all 120 of them drawing pictures.

"He displayed them on a screen and the children were amazed, they loved it.

"I think it's definitely sparked their interest in writing and illustrating."

Ed also visited Bonhill Primary on the tour which included multiple schools across the Glasgow area.

Ed, who is from London, said: “I’m thrilled to be on the road for an exciting week of reading and drawing with children in schools around Scotland.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to meet an author and illustrator whose stories are excellent examples of friendship and tolerance.

“It was also a great chance for the pupils to learn how to draw Ed’s well-known characters, and create their own stories.”

Commenting on Ed’s tour, David Strain, Scottish Friendly’s Community Manager, said: “We are very excited about having Ed join us on tour for the first time.

"Ed delivers powerful and thought-provoking ideas to pupils, as well as inspiring them with his amazing illustrations.”