Author visits Sick Kids to promote storytelling project

A WORLD famous author has launched a literary project in Edinburgh to help children in hospital.

Tony DiTerlizzi, who wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, visited patients at the Sick Kids hospital in Sciennes as part of the Starlight Storytellers venture.

The project aims to “bring books to life” by getting authors and storytellers to read passages to ill youngsters to make up for any lost schooling time.

He said: “I am absolutely passionate about the lifelong importance of using your imagination – you’re never too old to create a new world, adventure or companion in your mind.

“For children that are suffering from illness, storytelling can offer an escape from their pain and fear, which in turn can help them to get better more quickly.

“Bringing the joy of books, stories, illustrations and imagination to young people’s lives is what I’ve been doing my whole working life, and I am thrilled to share in Starlight’s mission.”