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Dashwood students get creative at session with team behind superhero series
08/11/2022
The Raise a Reader campaign aims to provide young people with the tools to become lifelong readers
A superhero wearing a watermelon dress, armour and a backpack that squirts sticky chocolate to enable her to scale walls – that was just one of the ideas for a new Dashwood Superhero, as youngsters at the Banbury primary got creative after meeting two special visitors at the school.
Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles write and illustrate the popular superhero series Marv. They visited the younger children at Dashwood Banbury Academy as part of a nationwide Raise a Reader campaign, which is designed to encourage a lifelong passion for reading.
During the visit excited youngsters got to ask questions at a Q&A session.
After the visit Alex said: “It was so much fun. The kids came up with so many fun ideas. It was very wild: We ended up creating a superhero that had a watermelon and strawberry dress and was powered by cake and ice-cream!
“I think it’s really cool to interact with children and all kids should have the opportunity to read books. Reading is important because of the impact it has on imagination; Imagination is one of the most important tools we have and reading can transport you to places far beyond.
“It was great to visit Banbury, it’s a really nice town and we received the warmest of welcomes.”
The Raise a Reader campaign, which this year is supported by celebrities Alesha Dixon and Louise Pentland, aims to provide children and young people with the tools and opportunities to become lifelong readers in the wake of the pandemic.
Sarah Gordon-Weeks, Acting Principal at Dashwood Academy, said: “The students had a great afternoon with Alex and Paula and were inspired by them.
“They were impressed that the illustrator used their ideas to draw a new Dashwood Superhero. They asked lots of thoughtful questions, took part in a quiz and then had the chance to use their imagination to design their own characters.
“It is so important that children not only learn how to read, but learn how to become a reader.
“The Raise a Reader programme will support children at Dashwood to develop their love of reading and ultimately work towards creating a positive reading culture.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam