Series of World Book Day events are held across Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Series of World Book Day events are held across Bradford
9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News
By Claire Armstrong, T&A Reporter
Children from Eldwick Primary School, Hannah Mawson, Poppy Eastell, Thomas Burn and Caitlin Ellison, in the activities in City Park
From jungle parties to Quidditch matches, events across the district brought children’s books to life.
Schools and libraries were celebrating World Book Day yesterday, an annual event designed to promote reading among children.
Bradford’s Centenary Square was transformed into a jungle for a book-themed children’s extravaganza.
Children could ‘go bananas’ at a cooking event, explore a giraffe jungle or learn to dance like a wild animal.
More than 1,000 Year One pupils from across the district converged on the square, joining the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Bradford, Councillor Dale and Margaret Smith.
Throughout the day, children took part in dance, poetry and reading in different coloured marquees, beginning with a ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ session, inspired by the children’s tale of the same name by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees.
In the ‘Bananas at Bedtime’ marquee, Council bosses and councillors read children’s stories to youngsters. At Tong High School, PE lessons took on a Harry Potter flavour, with pupils playing a version of JK Rowling’s broomstick sport Quidditch.
Science lessons featured experiments inspired by Roald Dahl classic George’s Marvellous Medicine, and humanities lessons were themed on the Horrible Histories books.
And staff were dressed as well-known literary characters.
At Wibsey Library, youngsters got crafty by making a Gruffalo, the creature featured in Julia Donaldson’s children’s book. And to coincide with World Book Day, St Anthony’s School in High Busy Lane, Shipley, opened its new library.
Children went into school wearing pyjamas and carrying their teddy bears, to read bedtime stories.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council’s executive member for culture, said: “All the children who have had the opportunity to take part in the World Book Day events will remember their experience and understand how important books are.”
