A PRIZE-WINNING illustrator and author left everyone 'spellbound' after visiting children at a school in the Lake District.

Jackie Morris, an internationally best-selling illustrator, wildlife artist and author best known for her children’s books The Lost Words and The Lost Spells, went to Grasmere School and Nursery on Stock Lane.

Headteacher Jo Goode said they had 'such a good time' with Jackie.

"Jackie messaged that she would like to come into school and work with the children," she said.

"Now every class has their own beautiful Jackie Morris original, painted in front of them. It was extraordinary to see her capture the beauty of the world in paint and words."

An exhibition of all her original book illustrations is on at Rheged in Penrith celebrating over 30 years of the work of her work.

The exhibition is set in three parts, beginning with a timeline of Jackie’s life and career, including her early works and original sketches from her many books, including The Ice Bear and The White Fox to Tell Me A Dragon and Lord of the Forest. 

The school went to hear her talk again at Rheged when her exhibition opened with The Bookshop Band.

"It was an absolutely enchanting evening – really mesmeric," said the headteacher.

"We are all very excited about the exhibition, and we are hoping to take everyone to see it before the end of term."

"Jackie Morris is someone who brings such joy because she helps us to appreciate fun and originality and mischief and beauty. She came in to see us, and everyone was 'spellbound'. The power of the human imagination oozed out of all our conversation. And with her clear observational skills, she helped us respect and revere the creatures and plants around us.

"From a blank page, we saw the magic of creation and now a couple of otters, a snoozing fox, and an emerging dragon are all very happily 'living' in our school."