Illustrator's visit was a big draw for pupils
Tales of dinosaurs, giraffes, lions and other creatures held the attention of children at a school during an author's visit.
Children's picture book illustrator and author Paul Geraghty spent a day at Alverstoke Infant School in Gosport.
Mr Geraghty used to live in Africa and many of his books focus on the continent's great beasts. He also did some work with the Natural History Museum in London which inspired him to write about great prehistoric beasts.
The award-winning author kept pupils fascinated with workshops about the animals, fabulous illustrations and with readings from his books.
The school's literacy co-ordinator and Year 2 teacher, Holly Griffiths, said: 'It was fantastic. The children were so inspired by him.'
Mr Geraghty's visit was part of a Share A Book Week at the school.
Staff shared their favourite books with the children who also took part in book making, story writing and story reading with Hampshire County Council library service.
The children also dressed up as literary characters such as Alice in Wonderland and Dennis the Menace.
Mrs Griffiths said: 'Some of the costumes were fantastic. The parents obviously spent a lot of time and effort making them.'
Mr Geraghty also had another important role during his visit – to open the school's new library.
Parents, pupils and staff gathered to see him cut the ribbon before tea and coffee were served in the hall.
Mrs Griffiths said: 'Reading has always been on the school's agenda but now it's even more so. We used to have the library in the corridor with fiction at one end and non-fiction at the other so we're really excited to have this new library.
'It has already inspired everyone to do more reading. With all of the new furniture, shelving, computer, bright rugs and magazines it looks inviting and a place that you want to browse and borrow books from.
'We have invested so far 4,000 in new stock – so everyone knows the stock is good quality.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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