Get your pupils to start re-reading Jamila Gavin, Benjamin Zephaniah, Anthony Horowitz and other authors on the programme for the World Book Day (March 4) online festival (see www.worldbookdayfestival.com). Birmingham schools library service has supplied free resources to support the festival’s online interviews and readings on the big day (and to be archived for use later). Pupils can trace 17th-century adventurer Filippo’s route from Venice to Hindustan in Jamila Gavin’s exciting new novel, The Blood Stone, or join Anthony Horowitz in cracking Julius Caesar’s code. Or, the organisers carefully suggest, write a “clever and sensible” letter to Jacqueline Wilson.
More details of the online festival on the website and in the general World Book Day schools pack, but note the closing date of February 27 for schools that want to submit a question for the launch interview with JK Rowling.
Only one per school is allowed (so run your own competition first). Send to wbdonlinefestival@tempero.co.uk, mark your message “WBD Online Festival” and include the school’s name, pupil’s first name (only) and a teacher’s contact name and phone number. Don’t forget to include the question: 12 will be chosen for Rowling’s hour-long web chat.
All primary and middle schools and pre-school centres (including private nurseries) should have received the pack and pound;1 book tokens, as well as secondary schools that have pre-registered (late registration costs pound;10). Schools queries to 01634 729810 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm); email wbd@education.co.uk or (for schools in Wales) delyth.humphreys@wbc.org.uk. The general World Book Day site is www.worldbookday.com.
