Renowned children's author Shoo Rayner visited Princetown Primary School last Thursday and introduced the eager children to his new character 'Viking Vik.'

The visit came as part of World Book Day and was arranged by Devon Library services.

All the children received a £1 book token which they can exchange for a book of their choice.

Shoo, who has illustrated many books and has so far written more than a hundred of his own, explained how his own family links to Norway had led him to the idea of the youthful Viking hero and his dog Fleck.

He showed how he had done his research and planned the characters and stories, which showed the children that what they do at school actually does have an application and bearing in adult life.

The pupils all learned such interesting facts as:

l 'Fleck' is Norwegian for 'Spot'

l If lost in the northern forests, the mossy side of the tree points North

l Vikings got their name from the 'Viks' or small coves in which they sheltered their longboats and built their settlements.

Lots of questions followed, and it was obvious to Shoo that the youngsters are all avid readers who love a good story!

(For more pictures and stories on World Book Day see pages 22 and 35).