Library News

The Grimsdell Children’s Library

Children’s reading areas should be designed to create a space for young minds to flourish and learn.

As such, at Grimsdell, we aim to create a sensory environment, where attention can be focused on early reading and stories. An environment which is child centred – comfortable and inviting – is instrumental in helping children discover their love of books. A Kinderbox makes an ideal children’s library and storage unit, giving younger readers easy access to books and enabling texts to be displayed. Kinderboxes make it easy for children to independently browse and select their books.

I am delighted to share with you the very generous donation of the Benton family to our Grimsdell Library of an additional Kinderbox, allowing us to share an even greater variety of picture books. Zachary has recently left Grimsdell, joining Belmont in September 2022, and this piece of library furniture was given in recognition of his passion for books and reading. He was a daily visitor to the library and an expert Junior Librarian. He also donated the Wigglesbottom Primary series of books, which current Year 2 pupils are enjoying.

Thank you very much to the Benton family for their very kind gift to our library, which will benefit all our children.

Library News

We don’t have any Books of the Week to share this week. Instead, I have compiled some book inspired activities which you may like to take advantage of over the half term break.

The half term break gives us the opportunity to explore what London has to offer. Theatre is a wonderful medium through which stories can be brought to life. If you fancy a reasonably priced trip to the theatre, I can recommend two shows which will engage and inspire the younger members of your family (and older ones too!)

Firstly at the Arts Depot in Finchley, the travelling theatre company, ‘Tall Stories’, are performing their interpretation of the Julia Donaldson classic – Room on the Broom.Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom! You are encouraged to jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom.
Secondly, I can highly recommend a wonderful theatre in Islington – The Little Angel Theatre whose magical use of puppetry brings any story to life. Their new show, The King of Nothing (which runs from 14 October – 20 November), is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’.The show is aimed at children aged 5-11 and ticket prices are £11.50 for children and £13.50 for adults.Please follow the link for further details: https://www.littleangeltheatre.com/whats-on/the-king-of-nothing/

Museums:

London has a plethora of museums, and you may like to take advantage of the following exhibitions which I think are particularly suited to our Grimsdell children.

The London Transport Museum (located in Covent Garden) have activities around the theme of Secrets of the City. From 22 October – 30 October, you can find out about nocturnal animals and strange jobs on the transport network through craft workshops, a family trail and other events.Please follow this link for further details: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/families/october-half-term-secrets-city
The Horniman Museum: If you fancy a trip south of the river, Elmer the Elephant stars in a colourful new exhibition at Forest Hill’s Horniman Museum. The children’s book character Elmer the Elephant stars in a colourful new exhibition at Forest Hill’s Horniman Museum. Aimed at under-7s and their families, Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee offers visitors a chance to step into the world of the beloved children’s books, first published over 30 years ago, and enjoyed by successive generations since. The first section of the exhibition is a recreation of Elmer’s world, where visitors can walk through Elmer’s jungle, encountering familiar characters and stories along the way.Though Elmer is the headline act, the exhibition showcases the wider work of Elmer author David McKee, who died in April this year. McKee’s creations include Not Now Bernard, Mr Benn, and King Rollo. While younger visitors might be familiar with the former, the latter two are more likely to register with their parents and grandparents, who can revisit the realm of childlike King Rollo and join Mr Benn as he leaves his house at 52 Festive Road, London. The exhibition even features a recreation of the fancy dress shop featured in Mr Benn, as well as plenty of McKee’s original artworks, and cosy reading areas for families to enjoy the books.
The exhibition runs from 21 October 2022 – 16 April 2023. Tickets are £5 per adult and £2.50 per child.

Please follow the link for further details: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/elmer-and-friends-the-colourful-world-of-david-mckee/

Free activities

Natural History Museum – Dippy returns! One of London’s most famous residents is back. The Natural History Museum’s diplodocus skeleton replica – known as Dippy to many – is back at the museum after a lengthy UK tours. It’s only in London for a few more months (until 2 January 2023). You’ll have to book (but it’s free!) tickets to the Dippy Returns exhibition if you want to get in on the action.Please follow this link for more details: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/dippy-returns.html
Frieze Sculpture Park: For younger family members who love a treasure hunt the Frieze sculpture Park situated in London’s Regent Park from 14 September to 13 November is a great idea for a free walk in the great outdoors. There are 19 large scale art works by a variety of artists, including that of Matthew Darbyshire and Jordy Kerwick whose work is inspired Greek and Roman mythologyhttps://www.frieze.com/article/open-now-frieze-sculpture-2022