Julia Donaldson visits for an immersive storytelling session

The beloved children’s author Julia Donaldson visited Chestnut Tree House for a musical performance of some of her best-known stories on Sunday, 30 July.

Julia and her husband Malcolm, who live in Steyning, treated children and families to fun-filled, immersive recreations of The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and A Squash and a Squeeze, with children, family members and staff playing some of the parts.

After the performance, Julia – a former children’s laureate – spent time meeting families, signing books, and writing personal messages for the children, many of whom were very excited to meet the author of some of their favourite stories.

“Julia and Malcolm have maintained a relationship with Chestnut Tree House for many years, since they moved to West Sussex, and their storytelling sessions have created some magical memories for families,” said activities co-ordinator Elaine Ford. “It was such a wonderful morning, with laughter and music ringing out across the grounds.”

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for East Sussex, West Sussex and South East Hampshire. It provides palliative care and community support for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.