Chatterbooks reading groups have been running successfully across many Sheffield Libraries for quite some time now. These groups aim to encourage children to gain a love of reading for pleasure, books and the library all while creating new friendships and building confidence!
1st - 8th of October 2016 is Chatterbooks week, where this fantastic book group is celebrated nationwide! We chose to join in with this, by running a junior writers' workshop hosted by author Nik Perring.
As 2016 also marks 100 years of Roald Dahl, children were invited to the writers' workshop by way of surprise, edible golden tickets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style (created by our very own, talented staff member Jennifer Wilson). These were given out at all of our Chatterbooks sessions.On the 5th October at 5.30pm, children from across the city gathered in the Central Children's Library and took part in 2 hours of their favourite book chat, story plotting and finally writing, all enthusiastically led by Nik.
It was a fun filled two hours full of noisy chatter and laughter making this event really feel like a celebration of these long standing and brilliant book groups.
23 children, worked together to create three imaginative stories (including themes such as time travelling biscuits, explosive cupcakes, angry Ghostbusters and vengeful cheesey wotsits!). There is no denying that children write the greatest stories, and these will be compiled together into an actual book by Nik, which the children will receive soon.
Felix Akers said he had a brilliant time at the event and he wanted to share with us his favourite books: - "My favourite books are Animals Ark books by Lucy Daniels and I like the Mr Men books by Roger Hargreaves."Tina Barber, Library and Information Officer at Schools and Young People's Library Service said:- "Sheffield Libraries' celebration of Chatterbooks Week was a fantastic event hosted by the author Nik Perring. Children from Chatterbooks groups across the city came along to Central Children's Library and had lots of quick thinking fun making up verbal stories in a story chain. They all had the opportunity to meet new friends and discuss what they liked to read."
Nik Perring said:- "It was a genuine pleasure working with such a brilliant group of young writers and readers, and seeing how utterly excited they were about books and reading and stories is absolutely terrific and a testament to the amazing Chatterbooks book groups the library service run."
This was a great event which created a buzz and excitable atmosphere in the Children's library, and that's what we are all about! Encouraging a love of reading while making the library a fun, friendly and welcoming place to visit.
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended this Chatterbooks celebration and took part so enthusiastically, and also to Nik Perring for hosting another fun and inspiring workshop.
We will be launching a new Chatterbooks group in the Central Children's Library very soon. If you are interested in attending this, please contact us via e-mail or phone listed on the following link:
- http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/childrenslibrary
Information regarding Chatterbooks can be found on the Reading Agency website:
- https://readingagency.org.uk/chatterbooks
You can find out more about Nik Perring on his website:
- http://nikperring.com
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