MORE than 40 children helped launch The Big Bonkers Doohdah Book, A Big Book by Small Children at the Alton Maltings Centre.

The children, aged seven to 11, launched the thome on Saturday to coincide with World Book Day.

The book, volume one of three, is a culmination of work carried out during the first year at creative writing group Putting Pen to Paper, which is held at the venue every Saturday morning from 9.30am-11am.

The 180-page, A5 publication includes 55 illustrations, 52 photographs, and pieces of writing from cool comic strips to sensational story writing. Every part of the book, from the front cover and title to the inside pages, has been designed by the children who come from 18 different primary schools within Hampshire and Surrey.

Putting Pen to Paper is a not-for-profit community initiative sponsored by East Hampshire District Council, Four Marks and Medstead Rotary and Waitrose (Alton), as well as several small businesses and private individuals.

The group is run by children’s author Sarah Lucas and occupational therapist Kate Collins through a series of six-weekly courses during term-time.

Course 11, which begins after Easter, will concentrate on designing and writing volume two of the Bonkers Book, with a Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl celebration planned for courses 12 and 13 respectively. Course 13, which begins in September, is now open for bookings.

The Big Bonkers Doohdah Book, A Big Book by Small Children (ISBN: 978-0-9557251-7-3) is vailable by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 01420 587351. It is priced £9.99.

Contributor Isobel, 7, said: “You will love it!”