Tuesday, 8th March

Last week was busy with a big event and a small event. The Patron of Reading scheme is delighted that Holy Trinity School in Berwick now has a Patron of Reading, which makes this my second school. The official launch was on Wednesday with talks with Headteacher, Mrs. Groves, staff and parents, and more importantly, time spent reading to the children and talking about books and authors.

I read the introduction of Michael Kerins’ “weetom and the Bank Robbers” and Mackenzie Crook’s “The Windvale Sprites”. Michael Kerins has been in touch to say how chuffed he is that copies of his book have been included in the school’s Patron of Reading Book Box and he was also thrilled that weetom made his first appearance as a character at a World Book Day event in a Glasgow school.

I also gave Holy Trinity a copy of “The Ghost Dog” by Pete Johnson which celebrates its twentieth birthday this year. One of the parents was keen to have it for her son who loves books. Parents of boys said they found it difficult to get them to read so why don’t you have a look at LoveReading4kids.com ( hope that’s right) as there are loads of books all age-related with a little bit about them? In my own stash of books I have found several that might be popular with boys and I will pass them on. Ideas were flowing fast and furious and it is great to see parents behind this scheme and willing to participate.

I hope Holy Trinity love the Reading Award diamonds, medals and badges which will be presented to those children who are really making great strides with their reading. Remember this is reading for fun and pleasure! Hopefully this will take place at a special event in June.

Finally, just a wee mention of Gordon Primary School! I was there on Thursday to tell stories related to the topics, Fairy Stories, the Romans and Mary Queen of Scots. What lovely children! Robbie Fotheringham, who made my fairies is full of glee that you liked her fairies best, rather than mine, and yes I did manage, eventually, to get the sound effects in the Peter Pan pop-up book to stop. As for the older pupils, the Romans and Mary Queen of Scots are huge topics and you just took it on board when I was throwing information at you. Great stuff! As I always say, happy reading!