Hosted by the City of Melville libraries in conjunction with Dymocks Garden City, the author best known for his Bum and Just series kept both adults and children captivated as he provided an entertaining insight into both his creative methodologies and the zany characters he has created.

Following the event Griffiths took time to talk to some of the children who attended and sign copies of his book.

City of Melville Library Services Coordinator Clare Coney said she was amazed by the number of people who attended the event. “Tickets sold out well before the sales deadline and we had families travel from as far as Geraldton and Hyden to attend the event,” she said. “Andy didn’t disappoint with his recounts of both personal childhood experiences and some of the anecdotes behind his titles.”

Griffiths is known as one of Australia’s funniest and most successful writers. His books have sold more than three million copies worldwide, featured on the New York Times bestseller lists and have won more than 30 Australian children’s choice awards.

His appearance, courtesy of Books Alive 2008 and the Sunday Times Big Book Club, was the curtain raising event of the City of Melville Libraries National Children’s Book Week celebration, which runs until Friday, 22 August 2008.

Griffiths’ next project, with the Bell Shakespeare Company, will see him adapt classic Shakespeare to suit a young audience.

For more information on Andy Griffiths visit www.andygriffiths.com.au.