By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Primary School held celebrations for the final school day of Book Week by dressing up as characters from their favourite novels.
The day featured many students dressed as Wally from Where’s Wally, as well as a range of wizards and witches from the always popular Harry Potter series.
During the week of 17-23 August, schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children’s literature as part of Book Week.
Prep teacher Sharyn Borg said, “One of our main aims this year is to try and get the children to love reading, to want to read independently and to have that love for books.”
Activities for the week included taking a closer look at some of the characters in certain books as well as authors who have written a variety of books.
Children participated in their own bookmaking activities centred on the theme of ‘reading is my secret power’.
“The kids have really loved it and the staff have loved sharing around all the books… And most kids in each of the classes have dressed up, which is great.
“We looked at the costumes that the children had actually made themselves because they had put a bit more effort and love into it… We did a little bit of a parade and the school captains got together to choose winners for the best costumes.
“Hopefully it will get more kids on board with reading and taking that away into their own homes.”
One student, Abbey, dressed as Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, while Dom dressed as Robin Hood, complete with a bow and quiver of arrows made of sticks and string.
“I like reading most of the books that have been chosen. They’re all sort of different, but good in a way,” Abbey said.
Another student, Charlotte, used cardboard boxes to create her award-winning unicorn costume.
She took home a book voucher for her efforts.
“I’m reading Thelma the Unicorn… It tells you to love who you are and that you don’t have to change you,” Charlotte said.
