YOUNGSTERS across the dale celebrated the written word as part of World Book Day.
There were activities galore at Bowes Hutchinson’s Primary School.
The school grounds were filled with some of the best-known children’s characters including Cruella de Ville, Roald Dahl’s witches and Willie Wonka as well as Peter Pan and his shadow when both pupils and staff donned costumes.
Sarah Harrison, deputy head teacher, said: “All the classes and teachers have decorated potatoes as their favourite book characters, and we have done lots of other activities.
“We took part in a national literary quiz online and key stage two did ‘footie and lookie’, which was all about books and football.”
The whole school also took part in a character battle, ranking the skills of all of their chosen characters to determine who would win. Pupils also had to identify book titles from images with all of the text removed as well as trying to guess which teacher was reading the book.
At Montalbo Nursery and Primary School, every child took part in writing and art activities linked to a chosen book: Bothered by Bugs, by Emily Gravett.
Children learned about the importance of all bugs and insects and how, from pollinating trees, to cleaning the forest floors, bugs have a whole host of jobs.
At the end of the school day, children and family members were able to visit a large exhibition of every child’s work across the school.
Artwork included badger paintings, tissue paper collages, woodland collages and even creative photography. Written work included letters, fact files and poetry.
Deputy headteacher Jessica Richardson said: “World Book Day reminds us about the importance of reading and the pleasure, interest and knowledge books can bring.
“Children are really interesting in the environment and the book was accessible to all our children, from three to 11.”
Headteacher Chris Minikin added: “The children’s art and written work is brilliant to see. It is so nice to see children’s amazing work, right through school, in one place.’
Meanwhile, pupils at Cotherstone Primary School fired questions at award-winning children’s author Anne Fine as part of events to mark World Book Day.
As well as dressing as literary figures and protagonists, pupils also took part in a mash-up, with each class decorating potatoes as their favourite book characters.
There were plenty of ingenious costumes from Peter Rabbit and Mary Poppins through to a plethora of Harry Potters.
Pupils in key stage two also enjoyed a question-and-answer session with Barnard Castle-based Ms Fine.
“There were lots of questions about where I write and where I get inspiration for my stories,” she said.
Pupils followed a yellow brick road into a magical world of reading at Barnard Castle Prep School, which was transformed into the enchanted Land of Oz as a week-long literary festival reached its climax.
Munchkins, flying monkeys, witches and lions mixed with tin men, Dorothys, wizards and scarecrows as children aged four to 11 explored the delights of both the Wizard of Oz and the prequel Wicked.
Director of music Richard Dawson led a Wicked-themed singalong as pupils went off timetable to celebrate reading.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road was played regularly throughout the day over the school speakers at which point children had to “stop, drop and read” their favourite book.
Sixth formers from the neighbouring senior school also dropped in to read the younger pupils stories they had written specially for the day.
Even lunch was Wicked themed and in the afternoon director of drama Scott Edwards led a specially written drama, before pupils ended proceedings with a fun book quiz.
Prep School English lead Katie Shearn said: “At Barney every day is World Book Day as we set such great store by the power of reading.
“Today has been particularly magical as we exposed the children not just to Wicked but also the original story of the Wizard of Oz, which has really inspired them in their love of reading.”
She added: “There is so much research that proves indefatigably the value of reading.
“Good readers become good writers; good readers become good orators. Reading unlocks the brain, increases empathy and boosts mental health and wellbeing. It truly is a magical thing.”
