LOOKING for something to do with the family this October half term in Chester? Then GobbleDEEbook is the answer.

This year’s Shell Chester Literature Festival is introducing a new festival for children and teens and it takes place throughout October half term.

The event in the festival covers a range of age groups and a range of topics from gruesome monsters to beautiful mermaids.

There are 26 events over eight days and they all take place in St Mary’s Centre in Chester.

As there are so many events we will be featuring the events each week in more detail, making your job easier when choosing which ones to attend.

The first event will be a magical showcase for the over 10s, the author John Lenahan, voted Time Out’s Magician of the Year, who will be reading from his novel Shadowmagic, throwing some tricks, chatting about writing.

He may even talk about his favourite claim to fame – as the voice of the Talking Toaster on Red Dwarf. He can be seen on Saturday, October 23 at 1.30pm.

Caroline Smailes, one of the artistic directors, said: “John and his event is a great way to get this new festival up and running and the kids will love his magic a great way to interact with reading without even knowing it.”

On Monday, October 25, the mood changes at 11.30am to kittens and puppy dogs, as author Holly Webb comes to Chester with her best selling and heart wrenching books, Lost in the Snow and Alfie all Alone and introduces children to her cutest of characters including Holly’s latest character, Rascal, the naughtiest puppy in town.

Doctor Who fans won’t be disappointed as on Thursday, October 28, at 5pm Daniel Blythe, time lord expert, will be coming to Chester to take us a journey in the Tardis from 1963 to the present day.

Jump into the Time Vortex, activate your Sonic Screwdriver and join the Doctor’s ongoing story – explore his changing faces, his fearsome foes and his loyal companions across 47 years of TV, books, CDs and more.

Artistic director Jess Egan said: “These tickets are hot especially as children are only £1, and are selling really fast, as are all the GobbleDEEbook events, although you can buy tickets on the door on the day, we recommend tickets are bought to avoid disappointed children.”

The GobbleDEEbook events start on Saturday, October 23 and go all the way through to Saturday, October 30 and features 26 events.

The team and the GobbleDEEbook monsters will take over St Mary’s Centre (behind County Offices) for the duration.

Tickets and more details can be found online by visiting the new website www.gobbledeebook.com or over the phone on 0845 2417868 or in person at the Tourist Information Centre by the Town Hall.