Library

‘At the moment that we persuade a child… to cross…that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better. It’s an enormous force for good.’ Barack Obama

The Library

At St Bernadette’s, we are committed to promoting reading for pleasure. We have a purpose built library that contains a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books for both KS1 and KS2 children. The library encourages children to choose books for pleasure and to research topics for lessons or personal interest.

In the fiction section, books are organised according to author surname and children can choose between modern and classic texts from Roald Dahl to David Walliams. We showcase an author with a display of their novels and a biography of their life.

The Code Cracker System introduces children to the Dewey decimal system, used in public libraries, to search for non-fiction books, by colour in KS1 and then by numbers in KS2. There are a wide range of non-fiction books to support the curriculum. Classes or small groups are taken to the library to learn these library skills.

Please have a look at the suggested reading lists for children across the school. These start with picture books and move onto shorter and longer reads. Some of the titles are available in the school library.

Reading Recommendations

World Book Day 2022

“The first book I recall reading alone was Enid Blyton’s Mr Meddle’s Muddles, and it makes me laugh out loud. Most of all, though, it gave me an immense sense of reading achievement, and inspired me to explore more books and to create my own stories...which eventually led to me becoming a writer." Malorie Blackman  - Author  

“By sparking growing imaginations, stimulating critical thinking and helping to develop empathy, reading gives children the very skills they need to succeed at school, at work and in life.” Cressida Cowell - Author 

World Book Day - March 4th

What a welcome return to World Book Day! Our children dressed up once again to celebrate World Book Day which promotes how important it is for children of all ages to read. We are a reading school and our children have shown they know they know their books and their characters. We had Dalmatians, horse riders, Queen of Hearts, Snow Whites, Robin Hood and Gangsta Granny. Thank you to all the parents for their support on the day and for supporting our Book at Bedtime event. It was wonderful to see you all!

Michael Morpurgo Month

‘literature comes before literacy’……’to discover and rediscover the secret pleasure that is reading, and begin to find their voice in their own writing…’ Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is one of the Nation’s favourite storytellers who can be found in every library across the country. He was born on the 5^th October 1943 in St Alban’s, Hertfordshire. During the war, Michael was an evacuee and was sent away from the bombs with his brother. He went to St Matthias Primary School in London and then to Abbey, Ashurst Wood boarding school in Sussex.

Michael became a teacher but left after 10 years to set up ‘Farms for City Children’ with his wife. He started writing books in 1974 with his first book entitled ‘It Never Rains: Five Stories’. He has since written over 100 books.

Michael became the third Children’s Laureate in 2003. The Laureateship rewards a lifetime contribution to children’s literature and highlights the importance of the role of children’s books. In 2003 he was awarded an OBE and in 2018 he received a knighthood for services to literature and charity.

Roald Dahl Day

'If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books.’ Roald Dahl

On September 13^th, the school will be celebrating one of the most prolific children’s writers of all time with each class taking part in a range of activities linked to his books. Roald Dahl has been entertaining children and many adults with his wild and wonderful characters and storylines in books such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Witches. Matilda and The BFG. He also wrote poetry and penned an autobiography entitled Boy. Many of his books have now been turned into major films and they continue to entertain new generations of audiences.

Each class will take part in activities linked to Dahl and his books. Find out more about his life and work by clicking on the link below.

https://www.roalddahl.com/roald-dahl  

‘The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.’

from Matilda by Roald Dahl

October is Black History Month

Black History