Celebrating Reading

Southbank pupils never need a reason to share their love of reading, but Southbank Kensington has just devoted a whole week to it.

A range of activities took place in the school library including visits from author Alan Durant and storyteller Giles Abbot, who entertained the children with their tales and worked with the children to create stories of their own. Illustrator Natacha Ledwidge also held a question and answer session and demonstrated techniques for black line drawing.

Local booksellers Daunt Books held a book fair showcasing the latest and most popular children's books and all week students were invited to take part in a "FreeBay" book swap event. They brought along a book that they had really enjoyed reading and swapped it with another recommended by a peer.

Mother tongue reading sessions were also offered thanks to volunteer parents who read stories in different languages such as Chinese, French and Spanish.

The week culminated with a colourful dress-up parade at the Friday Town Meeting where children (and staff) dressed up as their favourite book character.

The School is now focussing on an extended celebration of reading: the National Year of Reading www.yearofreading.org.uk/, organised by the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency, with activities taking place from April to December.