AUTHOR Peter Riley visited Kirkby Malham Primary School recently to share ideas from his latest book.

Over the past 40 years Peter has written more than 200 science books for children, students and teachers.

Executive headteacher Richard Wright said: “Our children have been excited to share in Peter’s ideas and set up investigations around school. His books are mainstays of school shelves all over the UK and beyond.”

Following the recent publication of six books for international schools Peter is preparing a book for more general readership. He said: “This book is aimed at parents and grandparents to read with their children and encourage them to get outdoors and find out about the diversity of plants and animals that live around them.

“As I have visited Kirkby Malham’s partner school, Settle Primary, many times when my granddaughters were there and made science presentations in class and assemblies I am very pleased to have been invited back to work with the children again.”

Mr Wright said: “Kirkby Malham is also the perfect school for Peter to share his ideas being a rural setting with an enviable Forest Area and surrounded by open countryside with nature all around us. He is also working with Settle Primary School to offer another perspective on the investigations performed here.”

The schools have invited Peter back in the autumn to run the investigations again and add to their growing biodiversity lists and science investigative skills.

Peter added: “Even if you do not intend a career in science you need to know how science works to make informed judgements in the future – to be scientifically literate. This is what I am hoping my visits to the schools instil in the children.”