The Book Week theme for 2017, Escape to Everywhere, encouraged students to explore inside the pages of their favourite books and go on an adventure of their own celebrating children’s literature.

Students from Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, were invited to come in character, escaping to various places for their annual Book Week parade.

“We had students in the middle of a mystery, from back in history, in another person’s life and in lands far, far away. We had them where the wild things are, going on new adventures and enjoying spooky good times,” said Teacher Librarian, Janet Carmichael.

Students and their families participated with great enthusiasm, showing off their creativity while celebrating books and their characters.

From Sherlock, Shakespeare, Amelia Earhart and Roman gladiators to the hunchback of Notre Dame, detectives like Zac Powers and Alex Riders, Dorothy, mad hatters and the Scooby Doo Crew, the parade was full of wonderful characters. 

The afternoon saw students enjoy a book fair and escape to Italy for lunch with pizza, pasta and gelato. Organised into their colour houses, students also participated in a variety of literacy activities and games.

Up the highway at St Joseph’s Primary School, Dungog, students from Kindergarten to Year 2 had a special visit from Doug the Reading Bug. Doug’s colourful character captured the attention of the students as he read a number of stories to each class. 

St Joseph’s also had a crazy hair day to raise funds for a good cause. Bucks for Ben fundraiser is a cause to support a staff member at Branxton with brain cancer. With pink and purple dyed hair, lots of plaits and crazy hats, students showed their support by raising the awareness of the wider community.   

Down the road at St Patrick’s Primary School, Cessnock, students welcomed their grandparents for a special Grandparent’s Day liturgy, followed by a colourful Book Week parade and the opportunity to purchase a book from the book fair.

“All students showed great enthusiasm on the day with each class performing some of its literacy work on stage for their families,” said Teacher Librarian, Alison Ramage.

St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilaben Bay had a busy week of celebrations for Book Week with an annual book parade, storytelling and a visit from a famous author.

While students filled the school hall with colourful characters from their favourite book, the infants class were invited to the library to watch the digital Nick Bland story, The Wrong Book following the parade.

The highlight for students and staff during Book Week was a visit from famous author and illustrator, Aura Parker, who helped students draw the main character from her book, Twig.

“It was wonderful to see the children get so much pleasure from reading and exploring the world of books,” said Librarian, Leah Hannan.

Minions, the queen of hearts, witches and mad hatters were some of the many creative characters at St Michael's Primary School, Nelson Bay for Book Week festivities. 

Celebrating the magic of children’s literature each year during Book Week allows students to use their imagination and highlights the importance of reading, both inside and outside the classroom.

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