In the age of iPads and TikTok, one Kent bookshop is hoping that children will put down the screen and pick up a book during the Easter holidays.

Waterstones in Bluewater, in Greenhithe, is hosting a string of family-friendly book events for kids to attend while they’re not at school over the coming weeks.

The first event, taking place on Monday, April 3, welcomes award-winning children’s author Tọlá Okogwu, who will sign copies of her latest book, Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels.

Rise of the Rebels is the second instalment of the Onyeka series all about a British-Nigerian girl who learns that her Afro hair has psychokinetic powers.

Tọlá, who was born in Nigeria but now lives with her husband and two daughters in Greenhithe, first rose to prominence with her self-published picture book series, Daddy Do My Hair, in 2016.

The author will be at Waterstones to meet readers and sign books from 2pm. There’s no need to purchase tickets, simply bring your book along to be signed or buy a copy from the shop on the day.

The following day, younger children are invited to join an interactive storytime session centred around dinosaurs.

On Tuesday, April 4, Waterstones will be celebrating the release of That’s Not My T-Rex, the latest in the That’s Not My… series of board books, with two storytelling sessions.

The book will be read aloud while children can feel the different textures and shapes on the pages as they follow along.

There will also be fun games and activities, photo opportunities, and fancy dress costumes of your child’s favourite animal or dinosaur are encouraged.

There will be two storytime sessions, starting at 11am and 12pm. Tickets are free but must be booked online in advance here.

The following week, on Friday, April 14, the store will be throwing its own Manga-Vention, a comic book convention celebrating manga art and graphic novels.

There will be a cosplay competition, art competitions, quizzes, raffles and a goody bag to take home.

Manga comics originate from Japan and cover a broad range of genres, from action and adventure to romance and fantasy.

While not all manga is suitable for all ages, this event will be family friendly. Adults must accompany children under 15, but will not need to purchase an additional ticket.

Tickets to the convention cost £6 and include entry to the raffle. You can book online here.

Finally, the school holiday events will finish off with another author meet-and-greet on Saturday, April 15.

Influencer and equestrian enthusiast Esme Higgs will be meeting fans and signing copies of her first book, the Starlight Stables Gang, from 11am.

The book is set to be the first in a series of animal adventure books aimed at children aged 8 to 12 years.

Esme, who has racked up more than 1 million followers across Instagram and YouTube, is best known for sharing vlogs from her stables where she looks after and rides horses.

Tickets to the book signing range from £8 to £15 and can be booked online here.

Tickets costing £8 include entry and a paperback copy of the Starlight Stables Gang, and tickets costing £15 include entry and a hardback copy. All books can be collected on the day.