World Book Day at Berkhamsted Prep

Berkhamsted Prep takes World Book Day very seriously, and this year was no exception. With a week full of vibrant events that encouraged reading, oracy and imagination, every pupil enjoyed celebrating the power of books. 

The week began with a bang as we celebrated the Poetry Performance competition. Pupils were tasked to interpret a poem of their choosing in front of the School, practising their oracy and performance skills. Our judges from Year 12 had the difficult task of choosing the winners, praising the Prep pupils’ bravery in performing to a large audience and describing their recitals as “captivating”. 

On Tuesday, Prep had the chance to discover how reading and storytelling can change lives, as they welcomed author A.F. Steadman alongside visiting pupils from Heatherton School and Edge Grove. Best known for the bestselling ‘Skandar and the Unicorn Thief’ series, Steadman invited the audience to get creative and work together to design a new unicorn, which she then inserted into an excerpt from her book. 

This was a particularly special day for Steadman-fan Sophie, who was overjoyed to present the author with a lovely series of drawings and share news of her own fantasy book in the making. Steadman has promised to hang the drawings up in the office, and we all eagerly await news of Sophie’s book.  

Thursday’s big World Book Day was undoubtedly the week’s main event. Pupils arrived at school dressed to the nines, carrying props, countless books, and… potatoes?  

With the theme ‘Your voice, your choice,’ pupils were encouraged to either dress up as a famous book character or express themselves through their outfits, reflecting their individuality and the idea that they are the centre of their own life story.  

Pupils also brought in their favourite books and enjoyed sharing them with friends, reading outside in groups. Potatoes were also in tow, dressed up to the nines as each child’s favourite World Book Day characters. From Winnie the Pooh to Mr Bump, pupils showcased a remarkable creativity as they proudly debuted their impressive potato creations. 

World Book Day is another key literary event within Prep’s busy calendar that reasserts the value of play, storytelling and creativity. As part of the National Year of Reading celebrations, and amidst declining literacy rates, we ensure that books and all the vital opportunities that stem from them are confidently placed at the centre of Berkhamsted Prep life.  

See some of our World Book Day costumes here: