World Book Day opens a new chapter for children (From thisisoxfordshire)

World Book Day opens a new chapter for children

12:20pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Katriona Ormiston, Reporter. Call me on (01865) 425426

JOSHUAH Wheeler and his school friends celebrated World Book Day in a very 21st Century way.

Pupils from East Challow’s St Nicholas Primary School dressed as their favourite book characters and combined reading with technology on Thursday.

The school’s 69 children went to RM Books at Milton Park in Abingdon to visit the school e-book system company’s interactive learning centre.

They wrote, starred in and produced a video podcast about why they like reading and which are their favourite books.

They also read passages of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett on tablet computers.

Joshuah – dressed up as the title character from children’s classic The Gruffalo for the day – said: “I like reading books because it is fun.

“I read with my mummy and daddy every night. One of my favourite books is The Great Pet Sale.

“We have one at school in the reading snug and I have my own one at home. I love the flaps, and I love the pictures.

“I am learning to read with mummy and daddy.”

Headmaster Andy Brown said: “It was outstanding, it was a fantastic day. The buzz in the room with the children was just brilliant.

“It gave them the chance to try out technology how it can be used in learning and reading. The two things worked very well together. “It definitely promoted their love of books.”

Head of RM Books Alan Hodgin said: “We want to show them they also can access fantastic books through their devices, as well as video, games, social media and, of course, their schoolwork.

“It’s particularly important to encourage boys to read and if we can use technology to make reading more engaging and cool then we’re on to a winner.”

The school was among many across the county who celebrated the World Book Day.

Head of Headington Prep school Andrea Bartlett said: “It has been brilliant. “Each child has made so much effort dressing up as their favourite characters.

“We had a school book swap shop and on the day had a cake sale raising money for cancer research.”

Pupil Ruby Jamieson, five, said: “I dressed up as Oliver because I like the book. Mummy had read it to me and there is a disc we play and listen to in the car.

“We couldn’t make the costume so daddy bought it.

“I liked book day because you dress up. I liked Tilly’s Peter Pan costume because I like Peter Pan too.”

Authors also spoke about the magic of reading during visits to pupils.

Stephen Bowkett, fantasy fiction and educational author, spoke to students at Gosford Hill School in Kidlington.

And there was an Spanish theme to World Book Day at Cheney School in Headington which was visited by young adult, academic and art history book author Julia Calzadilla.