BEAR Hunts, chocolate cake and gerbils were big hits at Nottingham's first Festival Of Words as former children's laureate Michael Rosen performed to a sold-out audience.
The poet and author performed a one-man show of songs, jokes, poems and stories, including well-known pieces like Chocolate Cake and We're Going On A Bear Hunt, and newer ones, including Even My Ears Are Smiling' and Michael Rosen's Big Book Of Bad Things.
With the show suitable for children aged four upwards, the Lakeside Arts Theatre, at the University Of Nottingham, was packed.
Barbara Ross, 45, was among those attending with daughter Bethany, seven.
"It was absolutely fantastic," said Barbara, of West Bridgford. "It was really engaging and he kept their attention for the whole time and the audience participation was great too."
Bethany added: "It was fantastic."
Meanwhile Lucian and Beatrice Munro's favourite part of the show was Eddie And The Gerbils.
They'd come with their dad John Munro, 40, of West Bridgford.
"It was really good," said Beatrice, ten. "Eddie And The Gerbils is my favourite story. We have a head teacher that loves Michael Rosen and he reads us stories so it was really good to see him in person. It was very funny."
Lucian, eight, also liked Eddie And The Gerbils.
He added: "It was pretty good. I like it because it's so funny."
Mr Munro was also impressed.
"I thought it was brilliant," he said. "I don't know him as well as the kids but it was very good – entertaining for adults and kids."
Mr Rosen's two performances on Sunday were just part of the city's Festival of Words, which started on Saturday and runs until Sunday.
Other authors taking part include Alice Oswald, a British poet who won the TS Eliot Prize in 2002, Scottish author A L Kennedy and David Almond, a British novelist who has written for children and young adults.
Authors are giving talks and presenting readings, with events taking place at Newstead Abbey, Nottingham Trent University's Newton Building, Nottingham Playhouse and Lakeside Arts Centre.
Wollaton Hall, Debbie Bryan's shop, Jam Cafe and Broadway are also hosting events as part of the two-week festival, which is Nottingham's first literary festival in 40 years.
Press officer Ian Douglas said the first two days of the festival has been a great success.
"It's going very well," he said. "There's been lots of people here and lots of people making new friends and finding old friends and enjoying our performances.
"Bali Rai's presentation was very well attended, as was A L Kennedy's and everyone is very pleased. There's a really happy atmosphere and lots of exciting stuff going on."
For a full programme of events see http://nottwords.org.uk/
