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Ed Vere introduced his new character Grumpy Frog to a packed hall, reports Sian Kissock.

The award-winning illustrator started by asking children what they love to draw. Answers ranged from big cats, dinosaurs and slugs to flowers, fruit and pirate ships. The audience read Banana together – a picture book about a monkey with a banana and another who wants it, but has to learn to say the magic word first.

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Ed’s reading of his new book Grumpy Frog was just as lively. The book is all about a frog who is not actually grumpy; he just loves hopping and winning, and becomes very unhappy if he doesn’t get his own way. He wants it to be his birthday every day – well, who doesn’t, Ed argues! Grumpy Frog only likes the colour green and absolutely detests pink – which proves problematic when he encounters the Pink Rabbit and a green, snappy twist in the tale.

There was no room for shyness as Ed got the audience to fist-pump, shout out words and phrases and answer questions about the colours they liked, whether they’ve ever said sorry and the last time they had a tantrum. Unsurprisingly, the answers drew a lot of laughs from the adults.

KidsLitFest2017Day1-0096The talk was followed by a session where everyone learned to draw their very own Grumpy Frogs.

How to draw your own Grumpy Frog

Step 1: The eyes have it!

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Step 2: Add frowny eyebrows and his face.

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Step 3: A grumpy mouth.

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Step 4: Add sulky lips.

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Step 5: Pop on legs and arms – and you’re done!

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@sianeliza_

Images by lieselbockl.co.uk; @LieselBockl

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