The West Wollongong author saw first hand this enthusiasm for books at a literary lunch at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow on Wednesday.

The Illawarra South Coast sub-branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia event saw authors and illustrators mix with 120 primary school students.

This experience was a ‘’thrill’’ for Farrar, whose first children’s book, There’s a Magpie in My Soup, was inspired by the backyard antics of his local magpie population and their love of his bird bath.

‘’I’ve done some freelance writing but I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book,’’ Farrar said.

‘I’ve got three young children myself and there’s always a lot of discussion around our place about birds and their crazy antics... and that’s how we arrived at There's a Magpie in My Soup.

‘’I’ve always had a few ideas and fortunately I’ve had the time to get the stories done and have started to try and get them out there because at the end of the day the stories are for kids.

‘’There’s no point keeping them locked in a draw. It’s about sharing them with young minds and trying to encourage the reading and rhyming that goes with it.

‘’It’s a real thrill actually to be able to come here today and meet lots of young kids from the local public schools and be able to share your book with them and talk about stories and reading and writing.’’

Stanwell Park author and children’s book editor Sue Whiting has written about 70 books but still gets a kick from meeting and talking with children.

‘’Events like today are wonderful because it brings and puts books in a focus in a really positive way and kids get to meet the creators to talk to them and catch onto the enthusiasm and passion that people who write books have,’’ Whiting said.

‘’I think these events are really inspiring for the authors and most importantly the kids. This one in particular is a fabulous and well organised event and I love coming to them.’’

ISC CBCA president Jane Pretty said about 120 students from 16 Illawarra schools attended the annual lunch.

‘’The children are very enthusiastic and excited to meet local and visiting authors and illustrators,’’ Pretty said.

‘’They appreciate the opportunity to see how authors work and how illustrators work and what books look like right from the beginning until they are a published book.’’