Schoolchildren in Borehamwood enjoyed a fun filled day of singing and painting when a writer paid a visit.

Author Shirley Askew read her first children’s book ‘Naughty Mr Macaw’ to Year 3 pupils at Meryfield School in Theobald Street.

The excited children spent the morning listening to her story and music played by Hertswood Academy music teacher Richard Morgan.

In the afternoon, they painted colourful pictures of parrots, made maracas and shakers and used brightly coloured tissue paper to create mosaics.

The youngsters were joined by a group of Year 7 helpers from Hertswood Academy.

Frankie Coventry, an artist who works at Hertswood and who illustrated Shirley’s book, said: “It’s great for the Meryfield pupils to meet the Hertswood students and realise that the big children aren’t that scary at all.”

Ms Coventry, who spent three months creating the cover image for Shirley’s book, added: “The children have been wonderful today and they are very talented. It’s brilliant to see them enjoying our work.”

Ms Askew said: “I have never really been involved with little ones before, but Naughty Mr Macaw is great for children because it’s not just a story, it involves asking questions, singing, dancing and lots of movement.

“The children have been absolutely delightful this morning and I am touched by the way they have all got involved and engaged with the story.”

Year 3 teacher Miss Marks said: “The children have been enjoying themselves very much, they have been really fascinated, sitting silently listening to the story and enjoying the music."

Lex Winalasena, seven, said: “I really liked listening the story, my favourite part was when naughty Mr Macaw bit all the cherries off of Auntie Venezuela’s hat.”

Isla Denney, eight, said: “The best part has been making my macaw pretty and colourful.”