Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pippi Longstocking made an appearance. So did several Wally and Wandas, Pete the Cats, and Smurfs, not to mention a Thing or two, when students and staff dressed up as their favourite characters for the Preparatory School Book Parade, a colourful, fun event, which celebrated the end of another action-packed and highly successful Book Week.

The theme ‘Journeys. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ was inspired by Dr Seuss, with the week’s activities planned to celebrate the great journeys and places of children’s literature. “Students were invited to approach the theme in the broadest sense to include journeys to both real and imagined places, journeys through space and time, and journeys of personal growth,” says Preparatory School Librarian, Tracey Hull.

The students enjoyed visits from children’s author, Jennifer Somervell, who shared two of her stories, and entertaining book blogger, Bob Docherty, who discussed his recommendations of the latest books for children aged 10–13. 

Students also took part in some scavenger hunts and fun competitions, which included designing a tourism poster for a fictional destination, and the popular Battle of the Books, which was won by class 8AE for an incredible sixth year in a row.

“Book Week was a wonderful opportunity for the entire Preparatory School to get excited about reading. The engagement and enthusiasm seen all week among the Year 1–8 students was a joy,” says Tracey.