There’s a busy month in store for book-lovers in Letchworth with star scribes lined up for personal appearances in the town.

First up is design guru Emma Bridgewater, dubbed by some as the queen of British kitchenware, who will be chatting about her new book in conversation with Sue Scott Davison.

The session is at the town’s Spirella Ballroom next Wednesday, May 11, from 7.30pm.

Emma’s design inspirations come from everyday life, and the book, simply titled Pattern, looks at her biggest influences.

These include childhood memories of a bookshelf filled with Maurice Sendak, Beatrix Potter and Ladybird books, family holidays on the North Norfolk coast and rummaging through antique shops and market stalls for bright crocheted patchwork blankets and groovy 1960s coffee pots.

Along the way Emma shares the inspirational process of design that has taken her patterns to homes across the land.

Tickets are £25 and include a copy of the hardback book or £30 for a pair of tickets and one copy of the book.

The following evening the focus shifts to David’s Bookshop in Eastcheap where author Hilary Gallo will be signing copies of his new work, The Power Of Soft.

Hilary spent decades negotiating big money deals as a lawyer and gradually moved away from traditional confrontational tactics after finding that using his softer side worked better, both in his professional life and at home.

What started as a negotiation tactic soon became a philosophy of life and whether you are trying to close a deal or get your kids to go to bed, The Power of Soft offers insights that you might find offers plenty of food for thought.

This session starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £3, which can be deducted from the cost of the book if you buy it on the night.

Then on Sunday, May 15, comes the children’s literature equivalent of a royal visit – and they will be rolling out the red carpet when former children’s laureate Jacqueline Wilson arrives to officially open David’s Children’s Bookshop at 1pm. The new dedicated section of the extensive Eastcheap emporium promises to stock the finest books for children of all ages and reading levels are sold here, along with fun, educational accessories, study guides and cards. It will be open from 8am until 7pm on weekdays, 8am until 6pm on Saturdays and 10 am until 5pm on Sundays.

After her opening duties, Jacqueline will be talking about her new book – Rent a Bridesmaid – at St Francis College in Broadway, from 2pm. Bookshop owner Paul Wallace said: “We know how phenomenally popular Jacqueline is and we’re honoured to host her visit to Letchworth. No-one has done more to get children reading in recent years.”

Tickets are £12.99 and include a copy of the hardback book. Find out full details of all the events online at www.davids-bookshops.co.uk.