Date for your diary - World Book Day on Thursday 5th March

  

World Book Day is on THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 2026!

To celebrate World Book Day and the National Year of Reading 2026, we will be going all in by enjoying lots of fun, reading-themed activities - details to follow soon...

Character Costume Or Snuggly Pyjamas

We are inviting children to come into school on World Book Day in either their Favourite Character Costume or their Snuggly Pyjamas. 

Please remember, as this time of year is particularly cold and wet, it is really important that the children are dressed appropriately and have suitable footwear (such as long sleeves, trousers and outdoor shoes) to be able to enjoy any outdoor activities on the day.

We know that shop-bought costumes can be a little expensive, so why not try making something to wear instead... a character mask maybe? 

You can find some helpful tips and ideas here.

Broadford Library Weekly Newsletter - 09/02/26

     

Welcome to the Broadford Library Weekly Newsletter! 

Each week, I will be bringing you a look back on the previous week in the library, including the fun that our lunchtime library clubs have had, new books, children's book reviews, library displays and much more! 

~ Miss Flower, Librarian & Reading Champion ~

Contact - library@broadford.havering.sch.uk

 

Lunchtime library club 

Last week, our lunchtime Library Club children enjoyed celebrating national storytelling week, with some fairytale colouring sheets and Reading-themed wordsearches.

Book of the Week

The Book of the Week last week was What's New, Harper Drew? Lights, Drama, Action! by Kathy Weeks. I'm Harper Drew and my life is completely beyond normal! Sometimes it's hard to believe this is a regular week in my household. But I'll let you be the judge of that... There is a nit infestation, my grandparents are taking part in a house decorating TV show, and my big brother has been signed to model for a hair brand! What is happening to the world?! Join Harper as she works out how to deal with the daily catastrophes one journal entry at a time!

Chatterbooks sessions

Last week, library Chatterbooks groups had lots of fun in their second session of the Julia Donaldson classic, The Paper Dolls, where they made their own paper dolls!

Spinebreakers

Last Thursday, the Year 3 Spinebreakers enjoyed a great trip to Waterstones bookshop in Romford, where they purchased a lovely selection of new books for the library.  You can read more about it here.

Library Displays

February is Michael Morpurgo month. Michael is one of Britain's best loved authors for children. We have great selection of his books available for children to borrow from the library.

Last Saturday, 7th February, was the birthday of Charles Dickens, one of the most influential writers of the 19th century. He is most known for his classic novels, like Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations. We have a range of his books available in the library for borrowing.

Book Donations

In preparation for our upcoming Broadford's Big Book Giveaway event (details to follow), we are asking for any children's book donations that you may like to make. Please hand any books in the the school library or your child's class teacher. Thank you!

105 Books To Read Before You Leave Broadford

If you have not already seen it, please read the separate Library blog post all about our 105 Books To Read Before You Leave Broadford here.

Urgent request - Returning borrowed library books

We have so many lovely books in our library but, unfortunately, many of them get borrowed by a child and then never returned to the library. Please can you check at home to see if you have any Broadford library books (stamped inside/Broadford logo attached). If you do, please pass them to your child to return to the library asap, where our Book Monster is waiting to eat them! Thank you. 

Did you know that we have a Broadford Library Instagram page? Click here to follow us

Book Donations

 

Year 3 Spinebreakers visit Waterstones!

    

 Yesterday morning, our Year 3 Spinebreakers had a lovely trip to Waterstones in Romford. Their mission was to purchase a selection of new books for the school Library!

The children spent lots of time perusing the shelves to find books from favourite authors and series that they knew would be welcome additions to our library. They made some great selections!

Once they had chosen and purchased their books, the Spinebreakers enjoyed some tasty sweet treats and drinks while completing some fun wordsearches.

On our return to school, the Year 3 Spinebreakers headed to the library, where their final job to end a fun morning was to mark off a successfully completed task from their Spinebreaker trackers - *Purchased new books for the library.

The lovely range of new books purchased will soon be going on display in the library for everyone to borrow and enjoy!

The Story Scrapbook continues its journey around the school!

      

The Story Scrapbook continues its journey around the school!

Each week, a different class around the school is delivered the scrapbook by two of our Spinebreakers. The class's task is to fill a double-page spread with work based on a book of their choice - this could be their end-of-day story or a class favourite. Classes can fill their pages with drawings, paintings, writing, collages - they just need to be creative and use their imaginations!

Last week, the Story Scrapbook had its next delivery, to Mulberry class in Year 2. The class chose Colin Stimpson's Jack and the Baked Beanstalk as their theme and produced some wonderful pages!

Henzo and Layla, Mulberry class's Spinebreakers, then returned the Story Scrapbook to the library for some photos, before delivering it to Alder class in Reception for their turn. We look forward to seeing what they will do!

Tips for Reading at Home - Week 2 - It's Okay to Read the Same Book Again and... Again!

 

To help you #GoAllIn for the National Year of Reading, we will be posting short, easily-to-follow tips to support you in reading at home with your child.

Week 2 - It's okay to read the same book again... and again!

Reading tip: Repeating books builds confidence.

Why it helps: Children learn new words and understand the story better each time.

Example:
“If your child asks for The Gruffalo for the fifth night in a row, that’s learning at work, not boredom.”

Reading Assemblies - Emily Brown and the Thing and The Demon Headmaster

  

For the KS1 Reading Assembly this week, Miss Nur read Emily Brown and the Thing. Emily and Stanley find a 'Thing' crying outside their window. What is troubling the Thing, and why can't he get to sleep? 

This book features on the Year 2 105 book list, which you can see here

For the KS2 Reading Assembly this week, Miss Bell read an extract from The Demon Headmaster. Dinah, Lloyd and Harvey uncover the Headmaster's wicked plan – controlling the school is just a practice run. He has set his sights on dominating the entire nation!

This book features on the Year 5 105 book list, which you can see here

Please email Miss Flower, School Librarian, if you are looking for one of the '105 Books to Read', with your child's full name and class.

library@broadford.havering.sch.uk  

105 Books to Read Before You Leave Broadford

Well done to Elizabeth and Nikita who have received their Bronze Certificates for reading 5 books from their trackers.

Well done to Emem and Nikita who have received their Silver Certificates for reading 10 books.

Well done to Dylan, Kameron, Renae, Mfon and Jessica who have earned their Gold Certificates for reading all 15 books! 

Well done to all!

Story Suitcases

This week, our Story Suitcases were taken home by Thomas, Jamal, Ambica and Anna. We hope you all enjoy a snuggly evening with a great book and a yummy hot chocolate.  

If your child has received a Story Suitcase this week, please return it back to the school library on Thursday morning. Thank you.

 Blue Peter Reading Badge

Earn your Blue Peter Reading Badge! See how you can take part here or pick up an entry form from the library.