A celebration for bookworms (From Gazette & Herald)

A celebration for bookworms

WITCHES, wizards, ghosts and even the hungry caterpillar all turned up for lessons at one North Yorkshire primary school.

Staff and pupils at Welburn County Primary, outside Malton, dressed up as part of the celebrations for World Book Day on Friday.

Book tokens were handed out for the best-dressed characters, and special guest readers took part in lessons to read their favourite stories.

Headteacher Jackson Marshall said everyone had made a huge effort to join in.

"We had a real variety, I think everyone has really enjoyed the day," she said. "People have really gone to town and the staff have all dressed up as well.

"Class one teacher Naomi Burgess is in the most fantastic outfit as the hungry caterpillar - she's in a sleeping bag with legs attached."

Mrs Marshall said the event was all about enjoying books.

"We want to excite the children and let them know that books are fun," she said. "I think it's important to celebrate that."

Meanwhile, at Rillington Playgroup, the younger children were getting stuck into their new books. Bookworms were each given a book out of the group's own funds.

Leader Muriel Hutchinson said: "Children in schools each get a £1 book token, but the organisers say there aren't enough funds to extend the scheme to private and voluntary playgroups.

"We wanted to make sure that all of our children didn't miss out on the idea."

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, March 12, 2003