Schools across Cumbria are making final preparations for World Book Day, which takes place tomorrow, Thursday March 1st.
Events in schools will run alongside a series of promotions run by the county's libraries. These include the big Book Crossing promotion, where people are encouraged to pick up free books from pubs, cafes, health centres and other public places. Finders of the books can keep them, or pass them on after registering their find online at www.bookcrossing.com.
World Book Day's core activity this year is to promote reading in schools and pre-schools - and Cumbria has taken up the challenge with enthusiasm.
In Allerdale:
- At Beckstone Primary School, the children are dressing up as a book character and on Friday March 2nd, the whole school is going to the cinema to watch Charlotte's Web.
- At Dearham Primary School, Animal Welfare Inspector Phil Cheesley from the RSPCA will give a talk to children from Nursery Class to Year 6 because the school is focussing on animal books and animal fiction. A photo opportunity of children doing work with animal puppets will be available 9 -9.30am and 10.45 - 11.15am.
- The Nelson Thomlinson School is running an author profile and book review competition for all Year 7 & 8 pupils. They will use the library resources to research their authors with their English teachers and then use the information to write a profile which will be attached to their book review. Winning entries will then be used to create an eyecatching display. A Literary Quiz will take place for all library users during break and lunchtime as well as puzzles and wordsearches. Winners will receive book prizes.
- At Our Lady & St Patrick's Catholic Primary, Maryport, children will be dressing in pyjamas and bringing their favourite book to school for 'Cuddle up with a book' day. The school is also holding its annual book fair this week, so that children can use their book voucher.
- At Silloth Primary School children will be dressing up as characters from Disney, Narnia, Horrid Henry, Roald Dahl, Harry Potter and Victorian stories. There will also be library visits, story writing sessions, role play, a book sale and illustrating text sessions. Local author Catherine Canon will be working alongside Key Stage 1 children from 1.00 to 3.10 p.m.
In Carlisle:
- Children and staff at the Bishop Harvey Goodwin School will be dressing up as Goldilocks & The Three Bears and animals from 'Rumble in the Jungle'.
- At Blackford Primary School all children and staff will dress up as their favourite book character.
In Copeland:
- At Frizington Community Primary School the children will be dressing up as their favourite fictional characters and their parents/carers will be coming in and reading stories.
- At Millom School a book fair and book displays are being held and students can use their book tokens to get a discount and also claim some of the free books. The school is also holding the 'Great BIG Book Swap', where students and staff are encouraged to bring in an old book of theirs that they would like other people to read and swap it for something else. The double Carnegie-winning children's author Berlie Doherty will be visiting the school in June and pupils are being encouraged to look at her books in preparation.
- Children at St Bees Village School are being encouraged to come to school dressed as a character from their favourite story.
In South Lakeland:
- At Kirkbie Kendal School a short story will be read to secondary pupils throughout the course of the day - each lesson will start with an instalment. The school is following World Book Day up with an open evening for parents about reading on 15th March.
- The Lakes School is holding a Knock Out Kid's Lit Quiz for Year 7 pupils as well as an Easy Lit Quiz - where pupils pay 10p to answer 10 literature questions, with proceeds going to Book Aid International (a charity that buys books for African schools). There will also be a match the teacher to their favourite book competition and a story telling session in the Learning Resources Centre. All overdue book fines will be donated to Book Aid International this week and there will be various activities across the Key Stage 3/4 curriculum involving use of library resources.
- At Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale, all teaching staff will be encouraged to talk about their favourite book or book they are reading at the start of every lesson. For the month of March students who borrow library books at the school will receive a raffle ticket and a winner will be drawn at the end of term. Also running throughout March is a 'Discover the World' book promotion - students can opt to borrow a brown paper bag with a mystery book, review card, free bookmark and pencil. They are expected to read at least the first two chapters of the book and then fill out the review card. All cards will be put onto a special 'Discover the World' display in the library. Staff across the school have participated by filling out forms detailing their favourite book, favourite place to read and current read. Photos have been taken and colour posters made for display around the school. Staff involved have included teaching staff, office staff, kitchen staff, learning support assistants, technicians and grounds staff. Students have already been given their book tokens and many used them to purchase books from the school's book fair, which took place just before half term.
Councillor Philip Chappelhow, Cabinet Member responsible for children's services, said: "It's fantastic that so many schools have used the opportunity of World Book Day to promote reading among children. Books have got to compete with television, computer games and the internet in getting children's attention and it's a tough market out there. Once children have a book in their hands, they can see the pleasure it brings - hopefully the work we're doing in schools now will create next generation of bookworms."
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
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For more information on World Book Day events being held in Cumbria's libraries, log-on to the Library Service's website at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries