POPULAR children’s author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre was the guest of honour at the opening of a Newton Abbot primary school’s newly stocked library.

All Saints Marsh C of E Academy invited the celebrated writer to officially open the upgraded library made possible thanks to a £3,000 grant from the Foyle Foundation.

The grant enabled the school to buy a wide range of new books for children of all ages to boost the library stock.

The Foyle Foundation was formed to implement the will of the late Christina Foyle, the daughter of William Foyle who, with his brother, founded bookshop Foyles in Charing Cross Road, London.

It provides grants to arts charities and funding for school libraries.

The All Saints Marsh funding is aimed at helping inspire young readers and foster a love of literature across the school community. 

Sarah, known for her vibrant illustrations and imaginative storytelling, delighted students and staff with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a reading session where she shared some of her most popular works and taught all the children how to draw one of her characters.

Author Sarah McIntyre with children at All Saints Marsh CofE Academy.
Author Sarah McIntyre with children at All Saints Marsh CofE Academy. (MDA )

A school spokesman said her visit marked a ‘significant milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to enhancing English and promoting a love of reading’. 

Headteacher, Liam O’Sullivan said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to the Foyle Foundation.

‘The addition of new books, coupled with the inspiration provided by Sarah McIntyre, not only enriches our library and the learning experience for our children but also helps them develop a lifelong passion for books.

‘We believe these new additions will inspire our children to lose themselves in captivating stories, explore new worlds, and build a strong foundation for reading.’

Carly Watson, English Lead, added: ‘High-quality texts not only support their academic journey but also ignite imagination and creativity. Sarah’s visit was incredibly inspirational for the children about the power of reading and writing.’

The new library will serve as a hub for learning and exploration, providing a welcoming space where children can enjoy independent reading, group activities, and storytelling sessions.