Magical events celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter

26 June 2017 marked 20 years since the iconic ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ book by J.K Rowling was first published. To celebrate this momentous day in literacy, North Lincolnshire Council held a spellbinding event at Riddings Library.   Hogwarts themed activities ranged from a sorting ceremony, wand making and potion brewing to Quidditch and a quiz. There was even a ‘have you seen this wizard?’ selfie station!  Over 30 families attended the event and parents commented:   "I liked making potions and writing with a quill' ''Young and old love Harry Potter, great event to celebrate this day" Couldn't attend this event? There is another chance to join in the fun on Wednesday 5 July at Winterton Library, Local Link and Fitness Centre, West Street, from 5pm to 6.30pm. Fancy dress is optional so you decide if you come dressed as a witch, wizard or muggle! These enchanting events promote the importance of reading and literature with parents, carers and children alike.

Flutter and Fly

Pupils from nine schools in North Lincolnshire have been learning all about making music in a series of workshops with professional musicians from award-winning orchestra, Sinfonia Viva.

The children participated in the Flutter and Fly story and also worked creatively with it's illustrator and author, Eleanor Meredith. Swooping birds, jet planes, kites and much more were imaginatively portrayed in story and songs.

The children sang and danced to the music, composed songs of their own with the musicians, had a go at playing instruments and conducting. They also learnt how to fly a kite.

The pupils attended a special Flutter and Fly Concert on 19 June at Church Square. They joined in brilliantly with singing and actions, accompanying Sinfonia Viva in their huge inflatable venue. 

There was some great feedback from the performances:

"My little boy visited today with his school. He had a great time"
 

"It was fab, [the] children loved it" 

Read the full press release 

Intergalactic Imagination Library

Did your family receive the free Imagination Library book, 'Goodnight Spaceman' in June? It was sent to children born in 2015 (group 3).    In this fantastic book, two space-mad little boys get ready for bed and say goodnight to their toy rockets, launch pads and planet mobiles, before being whisked away into space on an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.  To bring the story to life at home, why not watch British astronaut Tim Peake reading the book? In this clip, Tim introduces the book all the way from the International Space Station. You can see Tim's narration via YouTube

Triumph for Priory Lane Community School Booknic

This month Priory Lane Community School held their annual ‘Booknic’ event and it was a huge success. This is an important part of the transition process and it was great to see so many parents, carers and grandparents participating. In total, over 110 visitors attended, which included children who are due to start school in September, Priory Lane Pre-school children and the current Reception children from Priory Lane Community School. 

There were lots of fun, book-related activities on offer, including stands from the local library, Manor Farm Children’s Centre, Priory Lane Pre-School, North Lincolnshire Imagination Library and Priory Lane Community School. Children’s centre staff shared activities around this year’s Bookstart book, ‘Everybunny Dance,’ and the Imagination Library shared ‘Meg’s Veg’. The children loved digging and chopping up the vegetables!  Priory Lane Pre-School took everyone on a ‘Bear Hunt’ and Priory Lane Community School had a Nick Sharratt focus, where the children made telescopes to accompany his book ‘Shark in the Park’. 

One parent commented:

"We had a lovely afternoon at the Booknic, there was lots of different activities to do. My child particularly enjoyed making the sock puppets"