Celebrating Reading in The Library

The Senior School Library at Bolton School put on a whole host of activities for Boys’ and Girls’ Division students to enjoy for World Book Day.

Pupils in both Divisions were invited to put a ‘Book in a Jar’. This competition challenged everyone to illustrate a favourite story inside a jam jar, with some very inventive and interesting results! A host of jars were handed in and went on display in the Library for everyone to explore, and maybe even discover a new read. Pupils received World Book Day tokens and could use these to buy copies of the £1 books from the Library on the day. The weekly book clubs also held World Book Day themed sessions during the week to celebrate.

World Book Day in the Girls’ Division also included a Big Book Swap, where girls could bring a book they no longer wanted into the library and swap it for something new to read, donated by another pupil or member of staff. The day also launched the annual writing competition: author Anne Fine provided a selection of opening sentences during her recent visit, and girls have been invited to write short stories that unfurl from these beginnings. Anne will judge the competition over Easter.

In the Boys’ Division, over 170 pupils signed up to receive a World Book Day goodie bag filled with exciting literary treats, including books and extracts. The Library was dedicated to quiet reading throughout lunchtime to give boys ample opportunity to enjoy the books of their choice. ‘Found Not Lost’ books have become a popular Boys’ Division World Book Day tradition in recent years: the Librarians hid a selection of books around the school, in unusual places around the corridors, and the lucky boys who discovered hidden books got to keep and read or pass on their finds.

The English Department also organised activities in both Divisions. There was a World Book Day quiz and scavenger hunt around the Boys’ Division while Girls’ Division students were invited to dress up as their favourite fictional characters. Both Senior Schools organised World Book Day assemblies. The School’s online community was also encouraged to join in and share their current reads using the hashtag #CommunityOfReaders.

Lower down the school, children at Bolton School’s Nursery and across the whole of the Primary Division enjoyed a range of World Book Day activities as well.