Saul Penfold’s The 3 Serpents of the North Door is the first book in the new series called The City of Light.

A new series of children's adventure books is set to give youngsters an entertaining read whilst educating them about the long and varied history of Norwich and its buildings.

Saul Penfold’s The 3 Serpents of the North Door is the first book in the new series called The City of Light, designed to engage children of all ages with Norwich’s fabulous heritage.

In this first story young readers travel back in time with the characters to see Norwich’s great Norman Cathedral under construction.

Today, the Cathedral is part of Norwich 12, the UK’s finest collection of individually outstanding heritage buildings. The twelve buildings span the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras.

As readers follow The City of Light series, they will travel through time visiting more of the Norwich 12 buildings.

The Three Serpents of the North Door uses time travel to help children access this rich historical past and history is made exciting and entertaining, through both Saul’s story and Jim Kavanagh’s wonderful illustrations.

The three Serpents allows readers to travel back in time with the characters to see Norwich’s great Norman Cathedral under construction. © Norwich City Council

Tom Buxton lives with his dad and sister in Norwich, the historic Cathedral city. Despite being surrounded by ancient streets and buildings, Tom pays little attention to history. He puzzles at his dad’s obsession with antiques. That is until he accompanies his dad to an antique shop and discovers an ancient magic book.

The book leads to adventure and time travel. Tom and Emma are catapulted 900 years back in time. There are mysteries to be solved and to return home they must get past the terrifying serpents of the North Door.

Fast paced and dramatic, The 3 Serpents of the North Door is a wonderful read for both children and adults. The book, which is published by Serpent Books, will be released on May 25.

Before then, if your family likes adventure, you can come and meet Saul and his characters when Norwich Cathedral hosts a free ‘Time Travelling’ day on May 24, between 10am and 3pm.

There will be the chance to join in with craft and dress up activities and take part in a civil war pike drill. The kids will also have the chance to meet medieval monks, herbalists, soldiers and storytellers. Historic food will be available in the Cathedral restaurant and Saul will be happy to sign copies of The 3 Serpents, which will be available for sale on the day.

Katie Brinkley is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.