Books: Bad, bad cats and astronauts at Cheltenham

Every day enough eggs are laid to make an omelette the size of Cyprus... lightning strikes the earth 8 million times and 15.5 million people celebrate a birthday... just a few of the facts dished up by Russell Ash in "The World in One Day", one of the events in Book It!, the children's festival which runs concurrently with the Cheltenham Festival of Literature, in association with The Independent.

In addition to Ash's eccentric world view, Shirley Hughes, creator of Alfie and Annie Rose, will be in Cheltenham for a session of drawing, reading and entertainment, Nick Butterworth will tell stories from his new Percy book, The Treasure Hunt, Roger McGough will read from his new collection of poems, Bad Bad Cats, and Paula Danziger will explain how she came to create her best-selling heroine, Amber Brown. You can find out what astronauts really do in "Don't Forget Your Spacesuit", watch the story of feckless Jemima Puddle-duck unfold in a puppet show and bounce around in a session of Toddlerobics. Cyber nerds can take advantage of the Multimedia Room, open from 10am to 5pm to demonstrate new software while those of a more down to earth nature can join Willy Wonka for Charlie's chocolatey birthday tea party.

For full details of Book It! events ring the Brochure Hotline on 01242 237377. To book tickets, call the Box Office on 01242 227979