A BOOK illustrator has said that she feels "inspired" following her visit to Weston's Waterstones.

Weston's Paula Bowles, illustrator of Marv and the Ultimate Superpower written by Alex Falase-Koya, visited her local branch on Saturday, February 17 in celebration of World Book Day, which will take place on March 7.

Marv and the Ultimate Superpower was selected as one of this year's 15 World Book Day books.

Children enjoyed an exclusive reading, a creative workshop, and a book signing.

Attendees were also able to exchange their World Book Day £1 token for a £1 book.

Weston Mercury: Paula Bowles, illustrator of World Book Day book, Marv and the Ultimate Superpower, leads workshop at her local Waterstones in Weston-super-Mare to encourage reading in children and this year's campaign, 'Read Your Way'.Paula Bowles, illustrator of World Book Day book, Marv and the Ultimate Superpower, leads workshop at her local Waterstones in Weston-super-Mare to encourage reading in children and this year's campaign, 'Read Your Way'. (Image: MHP Group)

Sponsored by National Book Tokens, World Book Day distributes over 15 million £1/€1.50 book tokens across the UK nations and Ireland every year through schools, nurseries, libraries, prisons and other charities. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that every child has a book of their own, no matter their circumstance.

The World Book Day website reads: "Our mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.

"Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.

"We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them."

Weston Mercury: Paula Bowles reads an excerpt from Marv and the Ultimate Superpower, one of this year's World Book Day £1 books, to children at her local Waterstones as part of a series of World Book Day events celebrating children's choice when it comes to reading. Paula Bowles reads an excerpt from Marv and the Ultimate Superpower, one of this year's World Book Day £1 books, to children at her local Waterstones as part of a series of World Book Day events celebrating children's choice when it comes to reading. (Image: MHP Group)

Paula said: “It was really fun to celebrate the lead-up to World Book Day, and share 'Marv and the Ultimate Superpower' with the children at Waterstones, Weston-super-Mare. I did a 'Draw-along' where I showed the children how to draw one of the characters from the book, then we drew new superheroes.

"I also showed them a sneak peek 'behind the scenes' into my drawing process on my iPad.

"It was lovely to sit around a small table, draw pictures together and chat about books. The children really knocked my socks off with their super imaginations and drawing skills, I hope they left feeling as inspired as I did!”

Speaking before the event, Cassie Chadderton, CEO of World Book Day, added: “We’re delighted that more children will have the opportunity to get to know Paula Bowles and discover fun ways to engage with reading, through this bookshop tour.

"It will bring the excitement of reading to the heart of Weston-super-Mare. What better way for them to discover the life-changing benefits of reading than to see Paula first-hand.”