A different sort of magic

On 7th December, over 2000 Y4, 5 and 6 pupils from 18 schools across the GDST family gathered together online to enjoy a story-telling session with a festive twist with author Cat Doyle. Cat joined us as part of Adventures in Bookland, an online book club for junior students across our family of 25 schools. 

adventures in bookland

Cat’s talk brought a different sort of magic: the Christmas kind. Her book Miracle on Ebenezer Street, a reworking of A Christmas Carol, features a visit to a curiosity shop that results in a little boy embarking on an adventure with a grumpy reindeer and a mischievous elf.

 

‘It was wonderful to connect with so many pupils with my event with GDST,’ said Cat, ‘and spread some Christmas cheer and festive magic this December!’

 

We live tweeted during the talk with some highlights below:

 

Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive, GDST said:

‘Adventures in Bookland is one of the pioneering initiatives borne out of lockdown and Guided Home Learning that our Junior school pupils loved. It is about sharing the power of stories, allowing students some escapism, and encouraging them to re-engage with the spoken word – to continue to hear stories, as well as read them.’

 

GDST students have been fortunate enough to attend live and interactive virtual sessions with a number of well-loved children’s authors as part of Adventures in Bookland. Earlier this year we welcomed Dame Jacqueline Wilson talking about her book The Primrose Railway Children, inspired by E.Nesbit’s timeless classic. Other authors and illustrators that have taken part in the series include Ross Welford (Time Travelling With A Hamster, What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible) delivering a live opening session, Clara Vulliamy (Dotty Detective, Marshmallow the Cat) and Fleur Hitchcock (Clifftoppers, Murder at Twilight) recording presentations, and Penny Chrimes judging writing competitions.