Mrs Mallin-Jones shares her news from the library
Author visits
With our term’s focus on developing a lifelong love of reading, Book Week and World Book Day were bookended by two author visits. We were thrilled to welcome M. G. Leonard; her visit was a highlight for her many fans among pupils and staff. Her fascinating and enthusiastic talk to Years 4 - 8, combined with her insightful and inspirational creative writing workshops, will hopefully have created some new fans. Judging by the speed at which her books vanished from the library shelves in the days after her visit, she certainly made an impact. Special thanks and well done to Lucas for his outstanding introduction at the start of the day; M G Leonard thought it may have been the best she had heard in her 10 years of visiting schools for author talks.
We were also delighted to welcome author and illustrator Sophy Henn. She spent the day in Pre-Prep, where she joined Nursery through to Year 4 for a day of reading and draw-alongs. The children's drawings of superheroes and creatures inspired by her books were fantastic, and I was hugely impressed by the concentration and enthusiasm shown by all the year groups. Visits by authors are known to have a significant and positive impact on children’s enjoyment of reading and writing, as well as their overall engagement with literacy, and it is fantastic to be in a school that supports these visits.
Thank you to this term’s Pupil Librarians, Anya, Poppy and Isaac, who have been unfailingly enthusiastic about their library responsibilities.
FAQ #2 Is it okay if my child only reads graphic novels?
Answer: Studies show that children who read comics or graphic novels in their spare time are almost twice as likely to enjoy reading than those who do not. They can be a great entry point for children who find a whole page of text daunting; graphic novel readers often go on to become dedicated readers of a wide variety of genres, having developed confidence and reading experience. Interpreting the interplay between text and image is an increasingly valuable skill, and can contribute to understanding how narratives work. So yes, graphic novels have much to recommend them. My new favourite series is InvestiGators by John Patrick Green, which sadly are never on our library shelves long enough for me to read!
If you are looking for ideas for holiday reading, below are a few to investigate. Happy Easter to you all from the library, and happy reading.
Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore
Lessore was nominated for multiple awards for this, his debut novel, and won the 2024 Branford Boase Award. It tells the story of a 13 year old boy in London who faces the sort of small challenges, dramas and dilemmas that will be familiar to many teenagers, and larger ones that thankfully many will not experience. However, with the help of his friends, family and school teacher, he manages to navigate daily life and find his way out of some darker moments. The book tackles teenagehood with honesty and a light touch, a playful approach to language, and has some laugh-out-loud moments with a compellingly loveable narrator. Recommended for age 12+.
Gruff Justice by Ross Montgomery
Barrington Stoke’s Little Gem series is perfect for young new readers. Gruff the billy goat has been accused of eating a birthday cake that was not intended for him. Gruff and his sister are determined to prove his innocence, and the story follows them as they seek the truth. The illustrations add to the fun, and new readers will find they have soon gobbled the book and are ready for more. Recommended for age 5+.
Dragon Riders of Roar by Jenny McLachlan
Fans of the Land of Roar trilogy will no doubt be aware of the most recent addition to this magical world, which brings back old friends and introduces new adventures. If you have a dragon-loving, adventure-seeking child, and have yet to discover these books, please do give them a try. For another great read by the same author, try Dead Good Detectives. Recommended for age 8+.