The war story reading challenge has finished and 'victory medals' were awarded in celebration assembly this morning. Congratulations to all of the children who completed the challenge and a big thank you to everyone else who took part. This year 17 children completed the challenge compared to 3 last year.

Christmas Stories

It's not long until Christmas now. To get you in the festive spirit, for this wonderful time of year, why not browse the collection of Christmas stories available for you to borrow? There are numerous heart-warming stories, Christmas poetry and origami as well as the traditional Christmas story.

Happy reading.

Reading Challenge

The war story reading challenge is proving to be very popular, two children have already completed it. There is still time for you to take part. The challenge is to read three war stories before the end of November, there is a mixture of information and fiction books for you to choose from. As these books are library books they can only be borrowed and returned during your library time.

'Wow Facts'

There is a collection of new books in the Quick Read section in the Library called 'Wow Facts'. Each title is full of facts, illustrations and photographs and all of them have short chapters.
Titles include:

Special Forces

Catching Dragons

Dare Devils

Midfield Heroes

James Bond
How To Make A Mummy
Sharks

There are 30 books on a wide range range of subjects, all of them are information books.

War story reading challenge

It's Remembrance Day on 11th November. This is the time when people remember the service men and women who have lost their lives during war and conflict. The reading challenge is a challenge for you to read three different war stories from the many various books available for you to borrow from the library. The challenge closes at the end of November which gives you six weeks to complete it. If you are successful you will be awarded a 'Vicory Medal' during assembly.

 

Scary Stories

Halloween is fast approaching so why not read a spooky story to get you in the mood? Come and take a look at what is available for you to borrow. You can choose from scary poems, fiendish ghost stories or a recipe book full of delicious ideas for you to make and bake for the big night.

Summer Reading Challenge

Well done to the following children who successfully completed the reading challenge, held at local libraries, during the long summer holidays. Everyone received their medal and certificate during celebration assembly today.

KS1

Evie Hicks

Simrah Mohammed

Jenson Briggs

Nora Mountassar

Toluwanimi Eniola

Huzaifa Hussaini

Owen Murphy

Reece Hicks

Hajah Mountassar

Lily-May Moore

Sophie Dugard

Ellie Richards

KS2

Alexander Ivanov

Maegan Millar

Sumaiya Mohammed

Ahmed Parekh

Alfie Walker

Michael Harris

Oliver Milano

Emily Harris 

Deniz Kahraman

Jack Ryan

Favour Eniola

Sarah Mountassar

Willow Davis

Rihana Haryshen

Charlie Dugard

Emaan Ahmed

Ria Sondh

Dhruva Chagger

Ellie May Hicks

Curtis Boeteng

Aston Murphy

Yenbon Zanleridu

Ben Osbourn

Owen Simons

Cookery Books

If you like cooking why not come into the Library and take a look at the cookery books that have just arrived. There are many mouthwatering recipes for you to try ranging from sweets, muffins and cakes to pizza, rainbow beef, soup and smoothies.

Library Books

The children have settled into the routine of school and Library times for the various year groups are as follows:
Year 3 Friday afternoon.
Year 4 Tuesday afternoon.
Year 5 Wednesday afternoon.
Please ensure that your child's Library book is brought into school ready for their Library time otherwise they will be unable to choose another one. There are still over 190 books that have not been returned to the Library from the last academic year, if you find one of them at home please return it to school as soon as possible in order that our records may be updated.
Thank you

Roald Dahl

Welcome back for the autumn term, I hope that you enjoyed the summer break and have read some fantastic books. Our author focus this term is Roald Dahl, one of the most loved children's authors. His birthday is celebrated every September throughout the world with special activities to raise money for his charity for sick children, as well as encouraging a love of reading. Many of his books have successfully been adapted for film, TV and theatre. There is even a Roald Dahl museum in Grest Missenden, Buckinghamshire.
www.roalddahl.com is a brilliant website all about the author. It has loads of information and quizzes for you to try to test your knowledge of his books. Why not take a look?

 

ROALD DAHL FACTS

·         Roald Dahl was born on 13^th September 1916 in Llandaff Wales.

·         His parents were both Norwegian, he was named after a famous polar explorer, Roald Amundsen.

·         He had two older sisters as well as a step brother and sister.

·         At the age of 9 Roald was sent to boarding school which was something he found difficult to cope with.

·         After leaving school his first job was for an oil company. He was sent to Tanzania to work which he loved.     

·         During World War II he trained to become a fighter pilot for The Royal Air Force.

·         After the war Roald went to live in Washington USA, where he met and married Hollywood film star       Patricia Neal. They had four daughters and a son.

·         Their time was divided between Washington USA and Great Missenden Buckinghamshire.

·         Roald liked to write his stories in a shed in his garden.

·         His first children’s book was called Gremlins, it was published in 1943. One of his most famous books,   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was written nearly 20 years later.

·         Roald Dahl died in 1990; however his books are as still as popular as ever.

Late/Overdue Books

I would just like to remind you that all Library books were due to be returned by 10th July. If you still have one either at home or in school please bring it into the Library by Wednesday 22nd July which the last day of the school year.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Mrs Martin

Summer Reading Challenge

This year the summer reading challenge, being held in havering libraries, is on the theme of record breakers. As usual the rules of the challenge are to read 6 books of your choice over the summer holidays. When you return a book you will be asked to talk about it to a member of staff, like a verbal book review. You will then be given a record card and a sticker. Over the next few weeks you will need to collect a further 5 stickers to complete the challenge (some of the stickers are really smelly!). You will be rewarded with a certificate and medal during the autumn term at school.

Last year 840,000 children, throughout the country, took part in the reading challenge and borrowed an amazing 18 million books!!
In addition, because the challenge is all about record breakers, library staff are trying to break the world record for the amount of pledges (which are like promises), received for a reading campaign. If you want to try to be a record breaker you need to complete the section on your special book bookmark, that you have been given, and hand it into Romford, Hornchurch or Upminster Libraries between 12 noon and 3pm this Saturday, 11th July. Don't worry if you have lost it spare ones will be available on Saturday from library staff.

Why not give it a go it's fun, free and local?
For more information go to www.recordbreakers.org.uk, there's even an app to download www.sol.us/records.
Happy reading.

Library Books

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, all library books need to be returned this week. A list has been given to each class teacher if you are unsure what book you have or alternatively come into the library to see me. Unfortunately if a book has been lost a contribution of £2.50 will need to be paid to the office to help meet the cost of a replacement. No further books will be loaned before the end of term.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Mrs Martin

Francesca Simon

Francesca Simon is a very successful author who has written over 50 books and she is our new author of the term. Her most famous character is Horrid Henry, she has been writing his stories for 20 years. He gets up too all sorts of mischief and generally causes chaos where ever he goes. The final story will be called Horrid Henry's Cannabal Curse and will be available to buy in the summer. Why not take a look at the horrid henry collection we have in the library?

Happiness Tree

The happiness tree is looking beautiful in the library area and is now full of children's happy thoughts and blossom. It has been a pleasure to read each leaf and see what makes people happy, it has brightened my day and brought a smile to my face. If you get an opportunity come and take a look for yourself an see if it makes you smile too.

Happiness Tree

In the library area you may have noticed a very bare looking tree (it is standing where the chirstmas tree is usually located). It is a happiness tree. I would like everyone to collect a leaf from me and to write on it a few words, a short sentence or even draw a picture about what makes them happy. I will then attach them to the branches. Hopefully in time the tree will become full of leaves and many happy thoughts.

Dick King-Smith

Welcome back for the summer term, the new author focus is Dick King-Smith. The library has lots of his books for you to borrow. Come and take a look. There is some information about him below.

 

     Born: 27^th March 1922 in Bitton Gloucestershire.

·   Married: Myrle England on 6^th February 1943.

·   Family: Two daughters, Juliet and Elizabeth and a son Giles.

·   Jobs: He was a soldier in the Grenadine Guards and was seriously injured in Italy in 1943 and returned to military hospital in Liverpool. He was a farmer and said his favourite animal was a pig because they were very intelligent. A travelling salesman. A teacher in Farmborough Primary School, teaching 8 year olds. At the age of 54 he became an author eventually writing around 130 books many based on his love of animals. His first book was called The Fox Busters. The book he was most proud of was The Sheep Pig which was made into and Oscar winning film called Babe.

·      He was awarded the OBE in 2010.

·      Died in January 2011 at the age of 88.

For many more interesting facts, quizzes and beautiful illustrations why not visit the official website?

www.dickkingsmith.com

Don't forget about the new books section in the library there are numerous new fiction and information books for you to choose from. Come and have a look and maybe read something different for a change.

World Book Day 2015

We had a fantastic day at school last Thursday to celebrate World Book Day. The children were transformed into many different book characters and had a really lovely day.

 The book fair arrived on Thursday and was well supported after school, don't forget that it runs every day until Wednesday next week, 11th March.

 The design a bookmark competition was very popular with a huge amount of entries. It was very difficult to choose winners but eventually a decision was made. The winners have chosen their prize from the book fair. Very well done to everyone who entered. Your bookmarks will be returned to you by your teachers so that you can use them.

Two authors visited the school this week, Chris Wormell on Monday and Anne Fine on Thursday. It was fantastic for the children to be able to listen and meet real authors and to gain an insight about how they write their stories.

Infant Competition Winners



Junior Competition Winners

World Book Day 2015

World Book Day 2015
This year World Book Day is Thursday 5th March. To help celebrate this day we are hosting various activites for everyone to take part in.

• Scholastic Book Fair is back in school from Thrsday 5th March to Wednesday 11th March. All children will receive a £1 book voucher that can be used towards the cost of a book from the book fair. There are also books printed especially for World Book Day, available from bookshops and limited supermarkets, that cost £1. Therefore if you use your voucher to buy one of those books then it is free.

• There is a competition running to design a bookmark. There will be 7 winners chosen, one from each year group, who will be able to choose a free book up to the value of £5 from the book fair. Please collect your bookmark to design from the Library. The closing date is Wednesday 4th March. Hand your finished entries to either your teacher or the librarian by this date.

• Everyone will be able to dress up as their favourite book character for the day.

• The author Anne Fine will be visiting the Junior School on 5th March. She will be speaking to Year 3-5 in the hall. She has written numerous books many of which are available to borrow from the Library.

• Chris Wormell will be visiting the Infant School on 2nd March. He is an amazing author and illustrator who has written many books.

National Libraries Day

National Libraries Day 

It's National Libraries Day on 7th February-a time to celebrate Libraries and the vital role they play in the community. As part of the celebrations children were invited to create new book covers for their favourite books, the results are displayed in all of the Havering Public Libraries. Our children contributed to the display at Hilldene Library. If you can why not pop into the Library and take a look, the display will be in place for at least a month.

Aquila and First News

Aquila is a monthly magazine for children and is available for you to read in the Library.

What’s in AQUILA?

• Articles, word puzzles, fun maths, games and general knowledge
• Science facts, space and the world around us
• Art ideas and things to make
• A taste of sport, history, philosophy and language.

The February edition is all about horses and features articles including

• A Day in the Life of A Show- Jumper
• How to Make A Wing-Flapping Pegasus Mobile
• The Evolution of The Horse
• A Short Story

 First News is a weekly newspaper for children and young people and is also available to read in the Library. A copy is given to Year 5 and Year 6.

What's in First News?

• The latest stories about world and home affairs
•  The environment, sports.
•  Entertainment and puzzles.

BBC Radio 2 500 Words Short Story Competition

This is the 5th year that BBC Radio 2 have hosted the 500 word story competition and it's bigger than ever. If you are lucky enough to be one of the national winners, the presentation will be held in St James Palace attended by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. There is a brilliant website to accompany the competition  (www.bbc.co.uk/500words)  that gives you all the infromation you need. Naturally it has all the usual stuff such as rules and terms and conditions, but it also has cool stuff such as stars reading last years winning stories, tips from top authors and judges Francesca Simon, Frank Boyce and Malories Blackman. There are inspirational ideas and Alphabot the robert to give you words to include in your story when you press his tummy. Take a look at the web site there is loads for you to listen, watch and read. The closing date is 26th February 2015.
GOOD LUCK.
              

Captain Underpants and Tom Gates

There are two new hilariously funny book collections in the Library.
Captain underpants written by Dav Pilkey.
George and Harold create a superhero at school and bring him to life. Captain Underpants gets up to all sorts of antics and creates chaos at every opportunity.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates written by L Pichon.
If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid books these are definitely for you, they are written in a similar style and are just as funny. Tom keeps a diary and writes everything in it good and bad.

Something New For The Library

When you return a library book I would like you to collect a book review. This can be used, by you, to promote books to your friends as well as other children in the school. The review is your chance to give your opinion about a story, it also includes other information such as the title, author and a star rating.
A display will be created in the Library area for everyone to see. So, if you are stuck and can't decide what to read next or you want to try something different, read some of the reviews that your friends have written, it may be just be the inspiration you need.

Horrible Histories Books

 

 



Horrible Histories are books written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown. They were first published in 1993 and have been a huge hit. Children love them because of their gory content and wicked facts that make history interesting.
There are many horrible histories books for you to choose from in the library. There is also a great web site, www.hhmag.co.uk, for you to investigate that has loads of information, fun stuff and games to play.
As a result of the success and popularity of the books a BAFTA award-winning CBBC show has been made as well as a theatre stage show.

Design a Picture Competition

The pictures for the competition were sent off at the end of last term. If any of them are chosen as the national winner I will be sent an e-mail by the end of Januray. So fingers crossed. All artists were presented with a certificate in celebration assembly. Well done to all who entered.

 

 

Anne Fine

ANNE FINE

Anne Fine is our author of the term. She has written over forty books for children, mainly about social problems, as well as a few for adults. On World Book Day (5th March 2015) Anne will be visiting our school and helping us to celebrate this very special day.
If you have not read one of Anne's books before why not come to the Library to have a look at our selection?

Anne Facts

• Anne was born in December 1947.
• Anne studied History and Politics at Warwick
• She has two daughters.
• In 1978 Anne's first book, The Summer House Loon, was published.
• In 1990 Anne won The Carnegie Medal for her book Goggle Eyes. (The Carnegie Medal is an award given to authors the The Library Association)
• In 1993 Anne won The Carngie Medal for the second time for her book Flour Babies.
• In 2001 Anne became the second Children's Laureate. This award is given to outstanding writers and illustrators every two years.
• In 2002 Anne set up a webiste (www.myhomelibrary.org) which encourages children to print a bookplate (or label) into thier own favourite book. The designs have been created by very famous illustrators such as Nick Sharratt, Quentin Blake and Helen Oxenbury. Why not print one and stick it into one of your own favourite books?
• Anne's storeis have been translated into numerous languages.
• Some of her books have been made into films the most famous of which is Madam Doubtfire. The film is called Mrs doubtfire and starred Robin Williams.

For more information visit www.annefine.co.uk