At the end of last week, I spent three days at the ShoutSouth! festival of children’s writing at London South Bank University. Sponsored by Derwent, and by Pea Green Books, the festival is a gathering of authors and illustrators of children’s books, alongside about just over a hundred students. Topped and tailed with magical storytelling from Margaret Bateson-Hill, and energised by a workshop in dramatic role play led by the fabulous Mo O’Hara, students also had workshops in writing and illustrating, and produced their own stories and drawings which they shared with parents and teachers. I was so impressed by students and authors and illustrators alike. We all put a lot into it, and got a lot out.