Enthusiasm for reading impresses author
YOUNG STUDENTS at a preprep school in Leeds have been recognised for their efforts after impressing a children’s author with their enthusiasm for reading.
Author Vivien Sabel, author of Robot Meg: She Lives in my Head,
spent a session with Year 1 and 2 pupils at Rose Court, the nursery and pre-prep of The Grammar School at Leeds. So impressed was she with their efforts that she nominated them for the Reading for Pleasure Award of the Society of Authors.
These awards, in the children’s writers and illustrators group, are aimed at recognising schools and individuals dedicated to promoting a love of reading.
“I was a little overwhelmed by the interest and the amazing question and answer session facilitated by the incredible head teacher Jo Hall,” she said in the citation. “The children asked some very interesting questions and in doing so tested my skills in quick thinking! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them all.”
Ms Hall, head of Rose Court, said: “The award is a total surprise and I’m delighted that we have received this recognition of our promotion of the enjoyment of reading.
“Sharing books with our young children and teaching them to read independently is such a wonderful part of our work at Rose Court and we hope that all our pupils will continue to read for pleasure throughout their lives.”
The CWIG Reading for Pleasure Award was founded to allow individual authors to give thanks and appreciation to schools and librarians that have made impressive efforts to promote reading for pleasure.
Across the country, 51 awards have been given out since October, including several to schools in Yorkshire.
Other schools which have been recipients include Brackenfield Preparatory, in Harrogate, which was also nominated by Vivien Sabel. Clifton Green Primary in York was nominated by Donna Douglas, and Clifton Primary in Hull was put forward by Shoo Rayner.