Dame Jacqueline Wilson reveals why Ilkley is one of her favourite literature festivals

Children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson is set to return to Yorkshire for this year’s Ilkley Literature Festival - and she already has one very important stop planned.

The much-loved author, who has written more than 120 books, will speak at the event when it returns this October.

She said Ilkley is one of her favourite literature festivals thanks to its “lovely atmosphere,” and is particularly looking forward to returning to the famous Yorkshire tearooms, Betty’s.

Wilson, whose books including The Story of Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather have become childhood favourites for generations of readers, said she has “nothing but happy memories” of being in Yorkshire and Ilkley.

“I go to many festivals, but this is one of my favourites,” she told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It is always organised beautifully and, also, what a treat to go to Ilkley!”

“I remember it very fondly, not only for the excellent bookshop, but for Betty’s too!” she added.

The author has already asked her publicist to make sure a visit to the famous tearooms is included in their schedule.

“Please, may we actually factor in either mid-morning coffee at Betty’s, or lunch at Betty’s, or tea at Betty’s. I don’t mind what, but as long as we get to go,” she joked.

And Dame Jacqueline Wilson knows exactly what she will be ordering.

“It has to be something savoury, and then one of their fantastic cakes. It is always my number one cake shop and tearooms,” she told the YEP.

Ilkley Literature Festival will host 17 days of star-studded events from October 7-18.

Wilson is looking forward to meeting young readers and families at the festival, saying Yorkshire audiences have always given her a “very friendly welcome.”

She said: “I’ve got nothing but happy memories of Yorkshire and Ilkley in particular.”

“It’s going to be great, I just love these events!”

The author will be bringing her latest book, Esme Pepper, to the festival.

The story follows a young girl whose mother has gone to prison, leaving Esme in foster care, but nonetheless it is described as “a funny, touching and hopeful story of one girl’s resilience when her world is turned upside down.”

When asked which character she would take for a day out in Ilkley or Leeds, Wilson chose Esme - although she admitted a trip to Betty’s might require some much needed behaviour lessons.

“Esme’s auntie foster parent makes some delicious meals in the book, and she really appreciates what she eats, so I think she would definitely like to come along to Betty’s too,” she told the YEP.

“But I would have to give her a serious lecture about manners and keeping her voice down.”

Wilson is also using the National Year of Reading to encourage children to discover the joy of books.

“For me, reading was absolutely the best bit of my childhood. And still now, I adore reading,” she said.

“I just want children to realise just what fun books can be.”

Despite having written more than 120 books, Jaqueline says she still feels compelled to write almost every day.

And looking ahead to her trip to Ilkley, she has already been looking through the festival programme.

She told us: “I think the programme is wonderful.

“So lucky citizens of Ilkley and wider Yorkshire, they’re in for a lot of treats!”