Little literary characters take over schools

Hundreds of pupils across the county dressed up as their favourite characters for the annual charity event.

Every child was given a £1 voucher to be spent on books.

The event began in 1998 and has grown each year.

Louise Payne, nursery manager at Davison, said: “Staff and children brought in story books and enjoyed reading and taking part in activities.

“The current favourite book is ‘Monkey and Me’ by Emily Gravett, and one of our staff members, Katie Smith, arrived dressed as Emily.

“We would like to thank the parents for the effort put in to organising costumes.”

Thomas A’ Becket First School took part in book week, reading books in themed areas around the school and looking at seaside books and books from around the world.

Children were visited by authors Paul Stickland and Cathy Watts and parents came in to read stories and speak about their jobs as illustrators and journalists.

English subject leader Jane Rice said: “The children were very excited about coming back into school for a ‘books in pyjamas’ reading session in the evening with their teacher.

“The older children are giving the Herald journalists a bit of competition by writing articles about their week for the school newsletter.”

Fiona Whittaker, leader for English at St Mary’s Primary School, said: “The children enjoyed coming to school dressed as their favourite book character and even the staff joined in the fun.

“The children used part of the day to decide how to update and improve their school library.”

Mrs Peters, deputy head teacher at West Park first and middle school, said: “This year, to celebrate World Book Day, each of our year groups have spent the week studying specific authors or genres.

“They have taken part in a variety of activities including drama story-telling workshops, books swaps, reading challenges and daily quizzes.

“The children have been thoroughly immersed in their year group’s authors and genres this week and we were thrilled at the effort that children and parents went to to create costumes for the children’s favourite book characters.”