RAPPING youngsters have showcased their literary skills to a bestselling author.
Thomas Jolyffe Primary School is working with Stratford Literary Festival on a project to encourage reluctant readers.
The initiative began with author Steve Cole – who has sold more than three million copies of his books including Astrosaurs and the Young Bond novels – giving the children writing tips.
And to showcase all they had learned, when the author returned several weeks later the school performed a rap they had penned about his books.
Throughout the project pupils have received visits from Escape Arts to create sculptures of characters from the Astrosaur books, and took part in creative writing sessions led by storyteller Kate Coleman.
Literary Festival director Annie Ashworth said: “Reading books and sharing bedtime stories, which is so important, is sadly becoming rarer for young people.
“We hope through projects like this we can engage children and show them the joys of reading.”
