Thousands of children of all ages and their teachers came together yesterday to celebrate reading and mark the 18th year of World Book Day.
Schools across Wilmslow joined in the biggest celebration of authors, illustrators, books and reading, which has now spread to over 100 countries all over the world.
An army of Harry Potters, Gruffalos, Gangsta Grannys, Willy Wonkas, Cats in the Hat, Dennis the Menaces and Robin Hoods could be seen across the town as hundreds of excited children, and teachers, made their way to school dressed as their favourite book character.
At St Anne's Fulshaw, where all of the children wore costumes, Class 1 hosted a Chatterbox Tea Party with their parents to raise money for the I Can charity which supports children with speech and language issues - raising £107 - and the Year 5 and 6 pupils took up the DEAR challenge (drop everything and read).
Headteacher Ms Clare Daniel explained "They were discovered all over the school environment with their books - from the play equipment and garden to the staffroom (also enjoying mugs of tea!) and the stairs by my office."
Whilst other schools opted for a change from the usual character parade. For example at Gorsey Bank Primary School they embraced technology for their story hero themed day.
Mrs Lisa Woolley, Headteacher at Gorsey Bank, explained "All children were photographed to show the story hero 'inside them' using green screen technology and our English Leader, Ryan Thompson, is in the process of turning all staff and pupil story hero photographs into a photo mosaic."
Jane Gornell, St Benedict's Catholic Primary School, said "The children have enjoyed a full week of activities based around books including reading buddies where an older child supports a younger child, a book tournament and a big breakfast - reading and discussing books over a drink of orange juice and a muffin. All year 3,4 5 and 6 have been given an abridged Shakespeare text to read as it is 400 years since the death of the world famous playwright."
In the lead up to World Book Day, Lindow Community Primary School enjoyed an inspiring visit from local children's author Chris Kay. He ran creative workshops for Reception to Year 2 classes, generating a real enthusiasm for his books, especially the Hooba Looba, that will continue long after the visit.
On the day, Lindow's Literacy co-ordinator Amelia Lomas and her six librarians from Year 5, Amber, Faye, Lexie, Ruby, Connor and Gregory, led a whole school assembly to encourage all children to read. Activities included all children and staff sitting down to read their favourite book in silence for 15 minutes and older children sitting in the library reading to Reception and Year 1 pupils. Mrs Lomas said "It's so encouraging to see that children are still inspired by books and find time for reading!"
At Wilmslow Grange pupils dressed in character and had fun swapping book recommendations, creating book tokens and attending a 'reading assembly', though the highlight of the day was the opportunity for the older pupils to read to the younger ones.
