Imaginations run riot in a week of activities
Book characters were brought to life by school children at Mayville High School in Southsea.
It's literally been a literary extravaganza for pupils at the independent school, in what's been a bumper book week to promote reading among its pupils.
Performances of Romeo And Juliet, Wind In The Willows And The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by the Groundlings Theatre Company, have been part of a week-long programme to reach every age group in the school, and stimulate an interest in literature.
Even some of the school's youngest members have had the chance to get involved acting out fairy tales.
Book Week organiser and junior school teacher Lucy Morris also organised a shared reading experience across the school where older children paired up with the youngest to read them their favourite stories, and share their reading experiences.
Children have been encouraged to design their own fantasy-themed book cover, and a visit by the city's children's librarians have given pupils a chance to browse through the latest new titles.
For the juniors it's been another chance to relax in the school's new spacious and airy library.
But by far the most popular event has got to have been The Book Character Fancy Dress Parade, where children at the school got to use their imaginations and dress up as their favourite literary characters.
Head teacher Martin Castle said 'Encouragement of reading is very important. Often we forget that it is more than just a tool to access information. This week has been about enjoyment.'
The school's book week echoes the aims of the Spread The Word campaign backed by The News, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council.
The year-long campaign has encouraged children to read more by giving away books, promoting literary schemes, interviewing stars about their favourite books as well as highlighting star readers.
The campaign is due to come to an end in the last week of March.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: South
