Pupils become authors for World Book Day

Pupils from a Thornton school have been sharing their stories to mark today’s World Book Day.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The youngsters from Thornton Primary on Heys Street put pen to paper to write their own original stories, which were then sent to Burrstone Grange Retirement Living development in

Thornton for residents to enjoy.

Emelia-Rae Swettenham, seven, was chosen as the winning author while Grace Brocklehurst, 10, and Harvey Mercer, eight, were the two runners-up.

Pictured left to right: Harvey Mercer, Emelia-Rae Swettenham and Grace BrocklehurstPictured left to right: Harvey Mercer, Emelia-Rae Swettenham and Grace Brocklehurst
Pictured left to right: Harvey Mercer, Emelia-Rae Swettenham and Grace Brocklehurst
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They each received a National Book Token to help encourage them to enjoy their love of reading even more.

Emelia-Rae said: “I really enjoyed writing my story and have never written anything for other people before.

“I just really wanted to cheer up the old people and make them laugh.”

The children were set a theme that the residents of Burrstone Grange were facing a problem that the superhero children from Thornton Primary needed to solve.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It led to some very entertaining tales involving the residents.

Gemma Brockhurst, teacher at Thornton Primary, had the wonderful job of informing the winning children about their success.

Emelia’s mum, Louise Swettenham, said: “I couldn’t believe it when Mrs Brocklehurst told me she had won. I am so proud of her.”

McCarthy Stone’s Burrstone Grange is a development of apartments on Poachers Way for the over 60s.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Deborah Bond, marketing executive at McCarthy Stone said: “The enthusiasm and confidence from the children in telling their stories has been great fun to witness.

“We thoroughly enjoyed reading through them all, especially as they involved some of our residents!

“We have some very talented writers in Thornton, it was hard to pick just one winner.

“We want to say a big thank you to the pupils and teachers at Thornton Primary for being so thoughtful and kind and making us a part of their World Book Day celebrations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully next year we can invite them all to Burrstone Grange to read to us in person, and have some fun dressing up as well!”

World Book Day was created by UNESCO in 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. The first World Book Day in the UK took place in 1997 and now involves some school

children dressing up as their favourite book character to mark the day.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here

Related topics: