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.