BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

Michaelmas Term in the BCS Libraries – in numbers!

It has been a busy term in the Pre-Prep and Prep Libraries with 4064 books borrowed since the beginning of September. On ePlatform, there have been 2720 books issued of which 1596 were eBooks and 1115 were audiobooks. That is nearly ten books per pupil this term which is fantastic as reading is so beneficial to wellbeing as well as learning.

Additionally, 354 book reviews have been posted on Reading Cloud by Prep pupils resulting in 828 House Points awarded!

 

Pupil helpers in Pre-Prep and Prep 

To keep the library running smoothly, 17 brilliant pupil library assistants and librarians have been working alongside Ms Stacey and have been keen to help their peers. Thank you for your amazing help! In Pre-Prep, 4 Year 2 pupils each week have been doing two sessions as part of their BCS Blue award, learning about how to keep the library organised so that it works well for everyone. It has been joyful to see their enthusiasm and willingness. 

 

Author visits

We really enjoyed the visit from poet Joshua Seigal earlier this term and are gearing up to welcome Anna Kemp for the week of World Book Day celebrations. Anna has written some really fun picture books such as Dogs Don’t Do Ballet and has branched out into middle-grade fiction with her Into Goblyn Wood series which has received very positive reviews. Her visit will be great fun for all and she will be signing books, which you will be able to order from School or bring along on the day.

Joshua Seigal during his workshop as part of National Poetry Day.

Book Fair

Thank you to everyone who bought books at the Scholastic Book Fair at the Christmas Fayre. We sold nearly £700 worth of books meaning we were able to choose £264 of books from the stands. As the takings from the March fair went to the Pre-Prep classrooms, this time books were chosen for Prep classrooms and pupils have been enjoying perusing the options and taking them back to class.

The next fair will be held during World Book Day week in the Prep Library from Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 March. We will also have all the £1 World Book Day books available to buy again so that pupils can use their World Book Day tokens.

 

Community Book Swap

With sustainability and community in mind, we have created a community book swap. Also known as the B(ook) C(hanging) S(ystem) – the beautifully decorated Blue Coat Book Hut will appear outside the Prep Library on Library Lane from January. This is a place where anyone can leave their pre-loved books and choose another book that someone else has left.

Please feel free to leave any books that you think someone else may enjoy – grown up books are welcome too. Make sure you look out for the Book Hut at the start of Lent term and pick up a new book in the process! Thank you to Mr Ramsell’s art group who have decorated it so nicely.  

 

Ms Stacey’s Festive Recommendations

New Fiction:

  • Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat. Picture book for those who have a very silly sense of humour!
  • The Cat and the Rat and the Hat by Em Lynas and Matt Hunt. Rhyming fun for the youngest readers.  Also look out for The Goat and The Stoat and the Boat and The Bear and the Hare and the Fair by the same pairing.
  • Dance Just Like So! by Annemarie Aneng and Natelle Quek. Gorgeous and exuberant picture book about dancing, family and community.
  • Meet the Mubbles by Liz Pichon. Super bright and colourful graphic novel for emerging readers with a message of positivity. 
  • Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher by Luan Goldie and Amy Nguyen. Hilarious K-Pop based body swap story which would be perfect for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters
  • Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell. Wonderfully atmospheric and beautifully written follow up to Impossible Creatures

Non-Fiction:

  • Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Jason Lyon. This just won the Children’s Choice (8-12) at the Information Book Awards and also won my own Beautiful Cover of the Year award! Has been loved by everyone that has borrowed it.
  • Tales of Scary Beasts by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker.  Fascinating look at mysterious and mythical creatures from around the world. 
Dance Like So! book cover as part of Ms Stacey's Library Newsletter
Book cover of Tales of Scary Beasts

A few wintery classics:

  • One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
  • Stickman by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
  • The Box of Delights by John Masefield
  • The Ice Palace by Robert Swindells
  • The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London

 

Finally, a wintery fairy tale for adults:

  • The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
As part of Ms Stacey's recommendation list, One Snowy Night is a wintry classic
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey book cover