Pupils at Holy Trinity & St John’s Primary School in Margate celebrated World Book Day by taking inspiration from one of their own teachers, Ms Anna-Maria McLean, who is also a published author.
The pupils began the day with Ms McLean giving a presentation about her two books ‘Animaltastic!’ and ‘Bugnificent’ showing the process behind her own illustrations and writing inspiration. Anna-Maria shared the following with pupils: “I am passionate about looking after our world. I love animals and minibeasts and want to help educate the next generation in the importance of being kind to our planet.”
When it rains Ms McLean is often seen rescuing snails, slugs and worms so they don’t get squashed because she feels that all minibeasts have a role to play and are vital to a healthy ecology.
Ms McLean also loves exploring the English language and feels that all children should be taught a broad vocabulary including scientific names.
Through her current two books and with a third on the way about sea creatures; the pupils were able to get their creative juices flowing focusing on animals and minibeasts – the subject of Anna-Maria’s first two published books – creating sculptures, pencils sketches, paintings, poetry, mini books and descriptions.
Staff and pupils shared their love of books and characters across the day where many were dressed as their favourite characters or animals and mini-beasts in-keeping with the day’s theme. Families of the school were also invited to come and see the pupils’ work at the end of the day with a HTSJ Gallery.
Reading Lead at the school Cate Wall said: “Having our very own author and illustrator in school was an opportunity not to be missed.
“It enabled our pupils to see how authors come from ordinary backgrounds and anyone who has a passion for writing, illustrating or even is passionate about something that others can get behind – then there is an opportunity to take that passion and create something worthwhile and literary for others to enjoy. “Hopefully this message shone through for our pupils across the day and has given them further inspiration to strive towards reaching their own aspirations.”