“A book, too, can be a star, 'explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessley,' a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.”
- from A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1962)
We are delighted to share with you a glimpse of the events and celebrations Clifton High School pupils enjoyed throughout the week of World Book Day 2025. From visiting speakers, design competitions, reading, illustrating and dance workshops as well as a book fair and design competitions, our pupils were encouraged to be immersed in books and the power of reading.
Following a theme of Bedtime Reading, we focused on discouraging technology before bedtime; rather reading a book. Infant and Junior children were invited to bring their favourite teddy bear and book into School and spend the day dressed in their favourite pyjamas, onesies or dressing gown.
The efforts and dedication of our Library Team are unsurpassable. They each contribute so much time and energy into the celebrations surrounding World Book Day to include all year groups in their mission to promote a love of books. This year, they were once again active in arranging a series of fun and engaging activities and initiatives for pupils to enjoy that included:
- Collection boxes were distributed around the School site for pupils to donate one well-kept, used book that would either be donated to our own library or a local charity.
- Buddy Reading – Senior pupils took time to read to Infant School children
- Book Fair – StorySmith hosted a book fair for children from Year 6 to Year 13 to access
- A book themed assembly, quizzes and activities took place on the day
- World Book Day tokens were distributed to all children that could be used to purchase a new book in participating retailers
- An in-house Bookmark Design Competition that was won by Penelope in Year 9 and Luna in Year 7 who was the runner up.
We welcomed several literary guests that contributed to our calendar of World Book Day events.
These included:
William Grill, award winning author and illustrator, who joined us to introduced his first picture book, Shackleton’s Journey which won the Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration in 2025 and his second book, The Wolves of Currumpaw, which won the 2016 Bologna Rgazzi Prize for non-fiction to Year 6 pupils. They were engaged in the exploration feat of Shackleton in a workshop environment, having the opportunity to ask William questions and have his book signed in a meet and greet session afterwards.
“I try to encourage as much drawing as I can through schools and my weekly art club. It’s sad that we lose the confidence and freedom of drawing as we age. As Picasso said, ‘every child is born an artist, the problem is staying one as you grow older’.”
William Grill, Author & Illustrator
Sam Clarke treated our Hive and Reception children to an introduction of his first picture book, Pink Trucks, and encouraged them to read and illustrate for pleasure.
Paula Bowles, a local South-West award winning illustrator, shared writing and drawing tips with our Year 2 and 3 pupils, asking them to express their own ideas and drawings for book characters.
Cato Pedder, a Clifton High School parent was welcomed by our Excelsior Forum to talk to Senior School pupils and Scholars about her new book, Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa. Cato is the great-granddaughter of South African Prime Minister, Jan Smuts and follows her turbulent past through the contrasting lives of nine women. This talk especially appealed to pupils studying English, History, Politics or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion community members.
West End in Schools brought The Gingerbread Man to life for Reception and Year 1 children in an enriching workshop that gave pupils a flavour of expressing storylines through dance and drama.
We are incredibly fortunate to be a School that is enhanced by a community who embraces a love of reading, and we thank everyone for their support of World Book Day 2025.
See you next year!
