Sam and Mark launch The Adventures of Long Arm at Stanley Grove Primary Academy

Sam and Mark

TV presenting duo Sam and Mark visited Stanley Grove Primary Academy today to launch their new children's book, The Adventures of Long Arm. The visit gave pupils the chance to meet Sam and Mark and have copies of the book signed a day ahead of its release date tomorrow!

Principal, Phil Mellen, introduced Sam and Mark to the excited pupils, saying, "We have some very special guests today - I'm sure you're all going to have a lot of fun!"

Sam and Mark entered and immediately had the children in stitches showing them pictures from their childhood and talking about their friendship. The pair have been firm friends for 12 years! They also showed the children a special video showing how The Adventures of Long Arm was made, and passed around a very early copy of the book for everyone to see. To everyone's delight, Sam and Mark then gave us a special reading from the first chapter of the book!

Pupils were given the chance to win signed copies and illustrations by playing a game of "Call yourself a friend?!" Two pairs of best friends were quizzed about each other's favourite crisp flavour, school subject and TV show. The winning pair took home an illustration of Sam and Mark, by the book's illustrator, as well as signed copies of The Adventures of Long Arm. The runner-ups received signed copies of the book, too!

In a lively (and giggly!) Q&A with the pupils, Sam and Mark were challenged to moonwalk and revealed they were already working on a sequel to their first book. The Adventures of Long Arm was available for early purchase at the school, so children were able to get copies signed - so everyone at Stanley Grove Primary Academy was a winner!

Our exclusive interview with Sam and Mark will be online soon, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, check out our fantastic events programme to find out what else the Manchester Children's Book Festival has in store!