ALTON-based creative writing group Putting Pen to Paper is to launch the second volume of ‘The Big Bonkers Doodah Book, A Big Book by Small Children’ at the Alton Maltings Centre on Saturday.

Following on from the success of volume one and aimed at children aged seven to 11, book two offers 180 pages of fun stories with more than 50 illustrations, all of which are the result of the hard work put in by children from 18 different schools who attended the writing group during the last school year.

Children’s author Sarah Lucas, who runs the creative writing group with children’s worker Kate Collins, said: “There are awesome adventure stories, cosmic comic strips, perfect poems and puzzling puzzles, as well as stupendous scriptwriting, amazing adjectives, vile verbs and invigorating illustrations, to entertain. And if you like the colour turquoise, well, you are going to love it!”

The book, which has been designed, written and illustrated by the children is, “jam packed with fun”.

“Dodge it and you will miss all sorts of awesomeness and cool stuff. Things are a little bonkers – but that’s the idea,” said Sarah.

To reserve a copy of ‘The Big Bonkers Doodah Book, A Big Book by Small Children Volume II’ (ISBN 978-0-9557251-6-6), e-mail [email protected].

The book will be launched at noon.

* Putting Pen to Paper is a not-for-profit, community initiative aimed at children aged seven to 11 who are interested in exploring different writing techniques in a lively, interactive environment. Funded by East Hampshire District Council, Waitrose (Alton) and Alton Beer Festival, among others, the community group will shortly complete its third year in the town.