COLOURFUL characters from the world of literature were brought to life by pupils across York, North and East Yorkshire.

York Press:
 Children from Poppleton Road Primary School dress up as their favourite characters

Primary schools rounded off a fortnight devoted to books by expanding Thursday’s World Book Day into celebrations and projects of their own.

The Gruffalo was a favourite among youngsters at Sunshine Day Nursery, in Huntington, so too were princesses, knights and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as pupils dressed up as their heroes.

Julia Horner, deputy manager, said: “We’ve had a World Book Week because we wanted to extend the children’s interest of books. The children came to school dressed up as their favourite characters, brought books with them, and we have been telling stories throughout the week.”

Yearsley Grove Primary School spent time learning more about books and recited The Gingerbread Man as part of City of York Council’s “flash re-telling”, which encouraged children to memorise a passage from a tale.

Eve Morris, head teacher, said: “We’ve had a couple of weeks all about books and it raises the standard of reading across the school.

“We’ve seen a big increase in not only the standard of reading but the love of it, too.”

Other schools that took part in the day of fun included Norton Primary School, Pickering Junior School, Rillington Primary School and Barlby High School.

York Press:
Tang Hall School pupils visited Waterstones book store in York to check out the children’s books

York Press:
 Class 1 and 2 at Askham Richard School have fun on World Book Day

York Press:

Ava Sherwood, five, leaps into the air dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz as pupils at Rillington Primary School dress up for World Book Day