London: Meet Mocha and Latte, the Goldfinger Guinea Pigs and David the Pizzly Bear – free storytime events

They are two ‘meet the author’ events happening this autumn in London which offer plenty of literary fun, facepainting and storytelling.

Mocha and Latte, the Goldfinger Guinea Pigs

Join Mocha and Latte, the mischievous Goldfinger Guinea Pigs, for a fun-filled family day as part of Bouncing Off the Wall – Graphic Arts Fair at Greenside Primary School, Westerville Road, London W12 9PT, on Sunday 20th September, from 12 till 5 celebrating the launch of the ‘Goldfinger Guinea Pigs;’ a story packed with heart and some secret squeaks too.

Families can enjoy storytelling, games and creativity with face painting and family fun set in the heart of Greenside Primary School, designed by Erno Goldfinder, transformed, for one day only, into a haven of creativity, heart and many squeaks. You will have the chance to dress up as a guinea pig, and set off on the Guinea Pig Trail, following Mocha and Latte’s adventures throughout the school. Along the way, you can track and trace their route, finding stamps and guinea pig stickers as you go. Finish off with some carefully tailored craft, exclusive guinea pig photo opportunities and chance to buy a ‘signed by the author’ book…. hot off the press. Come and find your squeak and search for the hero inside yourself.

Meet David the Pizzly Bear

This free event is coming to Eco Italian Restaurant in Cheam on Saturday October 17.

Here the children’s corner at Eco Cheam will be transformed into a little world of bears, books and Arctic adventure for a magical family morning with children’s author Molly Arbuthnott, creator of David the Pizzly Bear, who was brought to life by the beautiful illustrations of Camilla Seddon.

David has always been a bit different. A whitish bear growing up among friends and family who are all brown grizzly bears, he is, in fact, a pizzly bear! When David and his friend Daniel find themselves stranded a long way from home, with the ice melting around them, they have to draw on their reserves of courage and fortitude to survive today and make a brighter tomorrow.

Bring your teddy and come along!

Molly said: “We’d love the children of Cheam and the surrounding community to come and join us. Bring your favourite teddy, come in fancy dress — or even come dressed as a bear!”

This free event starts from 9am, when families are welcome to arrive early, settle in and enjoy breakfast together. Everyone attending the event will receive 20 per cent off breakfast that morning. Then from 9.45am, Eco Cheam’s wonderful face painter Michaela will be ready to transform all the little guests before storytime — so come early if you’d like to arrive at the adventure with a bear face, whiskers or something equally wonderful.

At 10am, storytime begins. Molly will introduce the children to David the Pizzly Bear and take them into his extraordinary Arctic world — discovering snow, ice, animals and the changing planet he calls home.

And the experience continues beyond the story. There’ll be a Teddy Bear Picnic atmosphere, creative teddy-bear crafts, bear-making activities, dressing-up props, face painting and plenty of teddy bears joining us around Eco. Children can have their photographs taken in their fancy dress alongside the bears, Molly and David the Pizzly Bear, and there will also be an opportunity to meet Molly and have a copy of the book personally signed.

Eco’s own cosy children’s zone at the back of the restaurant will become the heart of the morning — somewhere children can sit, create, listen, play and become part of David’s adventure while parents enjoy breakfast nearby. To book please click here

More about Molly

Through her writing Molly, a teacher, author and academic based in Scotland, draws on life’s themes to help children to learn the importance of kindness, teamwork, empathy and courage to help them navigate the challenges and joy in the magical world around them.

You can read more about her, and her books here.