Literacy

I saw a tweet the other day where a parent said (and I’m paraphrasing now because I now can’t find it) -  ‘Literally everything has been cancelled in 2020, except of course Book Week. Now, I have to run around and try to make a costume when no shops are open and my stress levels are through the roof.’ I may not be a parent but I can empathise with the sentiment! The weekend before ‘Book Week’ I realised I had no costume/props that I could utilise for a ‘Book Week’ dress-up. My husband, however, was optimistic and suggested dressing up as SaucepanMman. His reasoning - we have saucepans and also it is who he dressed as when he was in Primary School. Now, I love ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ (it is one of my favourites) but I also live in a small apartment which means we have very limited pots and pans and I did not think one saucepan on my head would quite work as a costume!

By Monday morning, however, I knew that although getting things ready for ‘Book Week’ was a little more difficult this year, the week would be worth it. The excitement of ‘Book Week’ was in the air as the students entered for the gate and it continued to build each day.

Throughout the week I watched on as the students gleefully shared their costumes, relished time to read and drink hot chocolate, and delighted in making ‘Book Week’ posters. Classes also enjoyed reading some of the CBCA short-listed books, studying the illustrations, author’s craft and the messages inherent in each book. 

In a year where we have not a lot of opportunities to celebrate, it truly was joyful to be a part of.

I thank you families for your support in helping your child/ren come dressed up on Thursday. I know it is no easy feat at the moment to rustle up a costume. I am happy to say that by Wednesday evening I had crafted a ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ outfit accessorised by other books in the ‘Mr. Men’ series. It may not have been my best costume ever but we all know that ‘Book Week’ is not really about having the most amazing costume. It is instead about coming together as a community to celebrate books and the love of reading.