The Library Corner - June

We are kicking off the final half term of the year with lots more new library sessions, starting off with some more Fact Finding! The Pandas were split into teams and had to democratically choose a topic to research, locate a book in the library and then learn a fact (or two or three) to teach the class. I learned something new myself - that baby crocodiles in the sun are always male, whereas baby crocodiles in the shade are female! 

The Cobras also took part in a Fact Finding mission, this time focused on their topic of stick insects. There was some fantastic teamwork on display as some children looked up facts while others made notes, and then they shared their findings. But this one left us scratching our heads, because the books themselves were not in agreement about the length of the biggest stick insect! What to do but more research? I’m looking forward to them finding out the definitive answer and telling me.

Later Cobras also took part in a Fact Finding mission, this time focused on their topic of stick insects. There was some fantastic teamwork on display as some children looked up facts while others made notes, and then they shared their findings. But this one left us scratching our heads, because the books themselves were not in agreement about the length of the biggest stick insect! What to do but more research? I’m looking forward to them finding out the definitive answer and telling me.

Story Writing Club has also got off to a great start, with less time than usual before we finish the attendees are already making fantastic progress on their stories, and there is some brilliant writing coming out. 

Author of the Month - Serena Patel

Serena Patel is the author of the Anisha, Accidental Detective series. A self-confessed outsider as a child, Patel’s books are full of characters who may not quite fit in but who bring a unique and valuable quality to the world they inhabit. The series is made up of family, mystery, silliness, humour, an exploding volcano, a lobster and a rat.

Get Caught Reading in Nature

June is my favourite month - primarily because it’s got my birthday in, and who doesn’t love an excuse for cake - but also because it’s the perfect weather for reading outside!

Over the summer (June, but also July & August) I would love to see the most unusual, creative, exotic, or nature-filled places that you’ve been reading; so send pictures into @OWPSLibrary on Twitter or to the school office marked “Library challenge” and I’ll pop them up on the wall!

Recommended Reads

Amari & the Great Game by BB Alston       

I read the first Amari book last summer and it was easily my favourite book of the year - this sequel easily lives up to the first’s excellence! Amari returns to the Bureau in the wake of the Supernatural Congress having been frozen in time - and everyone thinks she, or another magician, are responsible. Determined to prove them wrong, she has to fight against new restrictions placed upon her by the new director and acting Prime Minister, all whilst competing in a deadly contest for a crown that, if she loses, she loses her magic. Think Harry Potter, but with more diversity, more imagination and more magic! I didn’t even realise it was nearly the end until I got to the final page and was then FURIOUS that it ended on a cliffhanger. A must read for UKS2!

 

The Eyebrows of Doom by Steve Smallman  

This hilarious rhyming book follows Dave (a bear) and a bunch of his animal friends as they try to catch the titular ‘eyebrows of doom’ and prevent them from taking over the world! Perfect for fans of Oi Frog, Poo in the Zoo, and other rhyming silliness - it also comes grandparent approved courtesy of the Campling grandfolks!

^{Photo by Omar Flores on Unsplash}