The library shelves at Chidham Parochial Primary School in Chichester are empty. And Lousie Edwards, the school’s English lead, couldn’t be happier about it.
The books that were once stacked side-by-side now spend more time in pupils’ homes and hands than ever before - and it’s all thanks to a selfie and the simple hashtag: #ChidhamBookClub.
During the summer holidays, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, Louise took a selfie of herself reading one of her own poetry books. She then tweeted it, and shared it on to Chidham’s Seesaw account - so that parents without Twitter could view it - and asked teachers and pupils: what are you reading today?
“Reading has never been a problem. But, we expanded from five to seven classes in September, and with so many new children, I want to create a real buzz and enthusiasm about reading across the school,” said Louise.
And with her reading selfie, she’s managed just that.
#ChidhamBookClub buzz
The entire school has caught virtual book club buzz, and parents, teachers and pupils are now posting their “reading selfies” on Twitter every day.
The pictures show the pupils with their heads’ buried in books in a huge variety of places - from the aeroplane coming home from holiday, to a quick break in ballet lessons - and even during a night spent in hospital.
And the posts haven’t gone unnoticed by some famous faces.
David Walliams, Ricky Gervais and Cressida Cowell are all among the authors who have responded to tweets - much to the excitement of the pupils, and their parents.
“Mum used her squeaky voice when she realised that David Almond had tweeted me!” reveals Luca, aged 10.
Lily R, aged 11, adds: “When I tweeted Katherine Rundell about The Explorer, it felt like I could look into the source of the book and who created the characters.”
Be inspired
Louise says the response has been fantastic. “There is such excitement from the children when they hear a response from an author - they can’t believe that the people they admire would take the time to talk to them. We are such a small rural school and they feel so honoured.”
And with visits from renowned authors on the horizon, the appointment of a reading patron and a series of book reviews planned, the Chidham book club is going from strength to strength.
Lousie says: “I would really love to see schools across the country having their own #bookclubs and all children being inspired in the same way ours have. ”
And 10-year-old Mimi, thinks her teacher may be on to something: “I think that people will want to join our ‘club’ because they won’t want to be left out!”
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