Hi KrazyKesh here with my writeup of the Imagine children's festival which took place at the Southbank centre in London this month. Children from all over the world got to interact with the most celebrated authors and poets of our time at the festival, and to learn about how mammoth sized ideas come into an author's brain.

There was so much to see including a magnificent giant version of Grandpa Joe's bed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with room for 40 people to lay on! Much loved writers such as Jacqueline Wilson, Robert Muchamore, John Hegley, Guy Bass and artists like Sir Quentin Blake and Ian Johnstone were at the festival running workshops for their poems and books, making paper animals, dressing up as pirates and sketching things up live on stage.

I was lucky enough to attend the festival on 18 February and found an electrostatic atmosphere, abuzz with tension and excitement!

The first thing I did was interview John Hegley and you can listen to the results in the podcast on this page. In was an enigmatic experience. As you'll hear, John was witty with a great sense of humour. He was also very charming and his manners were crisp. Later I went to his poetry show and I enjoyed it very much. His immortal poems and songs brought tears to my eyes as I could not stop laughing.

I got to quiz a member on the organizing team of the festival to get some idea of how this show comes about. Sunita Pandya was able to give me a view on the technical aspects of the show and I was able to see how much her job requires her to imagine.

I also got to get one of the hottest tickets at the festival: to see Jacqueline Wilson in person. As a 14-year-old boy I am not exactly Dame Wilson's target audience but this was a great insight into such a massively important author. The show brought more tears to my eyes as I was introduced to Jacqueline Wilson's beautiful companions, Jacob and Lily. I was intrigued by their soft paws and long whiskers. Did I mention they're cats? Jacqueline Wilson told the story of how she had brought them home after they were rescued by the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. It was very touching, and now the trio are unsurpassable in their love for each other. Her new book Paws and Whiskers comprises of short stories she has chosen herself, has tales similar to her experience. I myself, just managed to grab the last signed copy.

I believe that the Imagine children's festival is very important for the younger generations as times are changing, and this is a way to connect to their cultural past and to literature. The festival is a part of a movement that keeps children interested in reading and helps them cultivate their minds. But on a fun note, I am sure that they will come up with even more innovative ideas next year, so until then, anticipation, anticipation, anticipation...

Members! Is there a literary festival or event you want to report on for the Guardian children's books site? Tell us all about it in an email to childrens.books@theguardian.com and we'll see if we can help line up an interview for you! If you aren't a member, what are you waiting for? Sign up and join in!