Rapt audience: Dominic Yoboue, author of Kara, has been one of the local authors doing World Book Day readings in Waterstones this week
More than 2,000 primary-aged pupils have been inspired and excited at a book shop in the Whitgift Centre this week, all part of activities around World Book Day.
The children, aged from four to 11, were visiting Waterstones to hear local authors reading their books and talking about their writing.
In between the enthralling talks and events, the pupils used their World Book Day Vouchers to purchase a book of their choosing.
Frog chorus: Marielle Bayliss had her audience hopping in delight
With a flapping of wings and a booming roar, Davina Tijani started off the week with a talk and readings from her Yomi series of adventures featuring creatures of myth and legend and a daring hero to save the day.
Lorna Liverpool came to drum up excitement with an interactive and musical reading from her book A Dance to Remember, a story of traditional dances, drums and communion with ancestors.
Wednesday featured Dominic Yoboue, reading from his book Kara, an empowering story that tackles bullying and the importance of pride in oneself.
Thursday featured two authors doing readings and talks. Anita Prabhu read from her book If You Were Not You, capturing the imagination of the pupils with a book originally written for her son. And Dr Chintal Patel gave a fascinating presentation on a rainbow of food to eat to keep ourselves healthy and growing up strong.
To finish off the week, Marielle Bayliss hopped along to read from her books, Frog in a Fog and Frog’s Bog. An interactive reading with the pupils hopping about, Bayliss talked to them about our local waterways and the threats they face.
Tomorrow morning (Saturday, March 8), from 10.30am, a selection of authors will be attending a book-signing in the store, with each giving a little talk for adults and kids alike. The event is free and open to all.
Waterstones Croydon is gearing up for another busy week, expecting a further 1,000 schoolchildren to visit for talks from more authors, including Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted Lizzie Huxley Jones, Clive Jordan, Zehra Hicks and Kate Williams. And the children will all have the opportunity to pick themselves a book and hear a wonderful story.
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