Author and Illustrator Visit Marhamchurch Pupils for Storytime Session

Pupils at Marhamchurch C of E Academy enjoyed a lively storytime this term when both the author and illustrator of a popular children’s book arrived to share it with them.

A Visit That Brought a Book to Life

Writer Ian Clarkson, known to the children as Bear, and artist Michele Illing spent time with Reception and year 1 pupils to read Ian’s book The Bear Who Found His Way.

The story follows a bear named River and the choices he makes to reconnect with nature and the environment. Children were described as captivated, asking questions and exploring the themes as the pair read. Michele also showed her original watercolour illustrations, giving pupils a close look at the artwork behind the book.

Headteacher Deirdre Petersen said:
“Bear and Michele were a wonderful double act. You could see the children hanging on every word. Storytelling like this opens minds, sparks curiosity, and makes learning feel magical.”

Supporting a Love of Reading

The school says the visit reflects its commitment to inspiring a passion for books. Every class has dedicated read aloud time where teachers share engaging and challenging texts. Classrooms are also stocked with books to help pupils explore reading independently.

CEO of the Learning Academy Partnership, Tracey Cleverly, said:
“Events like this are special for children. Having the author and illustrator visit in person brings the story to life in a way that’s vivid and relatable. It shows children the creativity behind the scenes and reminds them anything is possible when creativity comes alive.”

About the School and Trust

Marhamchurch C of E Academy is a five class primary school with around 120 pupils. Its vision is to be an exceptional and inclusive church school, working with parents and the community to provide a caring and inspiring environment rooted in core Christian values.

The school is part of the Learning Academy Partnership, a trust of 18 schools serving communities across Cornwall, Devon and Torbay. The trust’s mission is to enable flourishing futures for children by working together as a values led family of schools to deliver exceptional education across their local communities.