World Book Day

Notting Hill Prep school took a two pronged approach to showing how our school is promoting and inspiring books on the theme of ‘A World of Stories’.

Firstly, in the Autumn Term, Years 2 to 8 took part in some happy reading workshops in our beautiful library, to celebrate how much we love reading here at NHP. We read the stunning 'A Child of Books' by Sam Winston and Oliver Jeffers together. We talked about how reading helps us travel far and wide in our imagination, 'to different universes' as one Year 2 child put it... and all from the comfort of our own homes - just like Roald Dahl's Matilda, devouring books in her bedroom, hot chocolate in hand. We each made a bunting flag after discussing the questions, 'Why is reading important... to me? ...to the world?' Every child (and the teachers, too!) made a badge with their favourite book of all time written on it, and discussed them around the school. We were all struck with the passion our children feel for reading and books... Reading rocks!

Additionally, our two Year 5 classes (40 children) under the guidance of the Art teachers, collaborated in teams to create sculptures of their favourite book characters in a woodland setting. Our inner-London school has a small woodland, beside the railway line, that is used as a play and a learning area by every child in the school. The Year 5 children took their inspiration for ‘setting’ from the woodland, where they initially drew charcoal sketches. The groups then took 5 weeks to create a sculpture of a woodland and placed their sculpted book characters in this setting. Some of these characters were – Anne Frank, Owl Babies, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter characters, Matilda and more. The materials used after the sketch had been drawn were – cardboard tubes and scrap cardboard, chicken wire normal wire and Modroc. The sculptures were then painted. We have contacted our local bookshop (Lutyens & Rubinstein) and they have agreed to create a window display using our sculptures for World Book Day.

Photograph 1 shows some of the bunting display

Photograph 2 – Anne Frank sitting alone in a tree, reading a book

Photograph 3 – Owl Babies in a tree and ‘Magic Spirit’ (P Funnell)

Photograph 4 – Various book character, made from wire, in a woodland setting

Photograph 5 - 101 Dalmatians and a cat!