The children in Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2) listened with great excitement as author, Jon Gilbert, read his fun and informative children's book about Olly Oak and the Tree Fellas. Miss Sammy Collins, Reception class teacher, said, “We thought it was a brilliant idea that the acorns would play football while the humans weren't looking, and we could all relate to the sense of achievement felt when reaching a lifetime goal, like Olly winning the FA cup. We rounded the session off with a walk around our woods, trying to find our very own Olly Oaks. What a brilliant morning we all had!”
Little Sailors Nursery children at The Royal Prep School also story time with Jon Gilbert, where they learnt that baby trees are called ‘saplings' and were fascinated to hear the secret that trees come alive when children and adults are not watching! Following the story, the children went out to look for Oak trees and their very own 'Olly's'.
Pupils in Year 4 and 5 were then delighted to host a 'real life' author in their Creative Writing Club. Jon was inundated with questions about building plot, characterisation and what to do when you get writer's block! Mrs Mee, Prep 5 teacher, commented, “He was keen to hear about what the children are working on; he gave tips to Karishma about her mystery novel and chatted with Phoebe and Ellie about what to do when you have too many ideas! Jon enjoyed seeing the children's mind maps for Olly Oak and then he joined us for lunch to chat about all things bookish. It was a privilege to spend time with a professional who is inspiring our own young authors.”