The former Children’s Laureate spoke to students about the importance of literature during a visit to a school.

Pupils at Bancroft’s Prep School in High Road, Woodford Green, heard from author Anne Fine on Thursday.

Anne Fine was the Children’s Laureate from 2001 to 2003 and is the author of over 40 books for children and adults.

She has won 11 awards, including the Nestle Smarties Prize, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the Whitbread Award and has twice won the CILIP Carnegie Medal.

The 66-year-old spoke to children about how she gains inspiration from books, and she described the writing process in detail, which she likened to making a casserole. 

Karen Yelverton, English Co-ordinator at Bancroft’s Prep, said: “Anne Fine is an inspirational author with a wealth of fascinating tales to share. The children loved her.”