2026 Book Week Celebrations at DUCKS

Book Week at DUCKS was an exciting celebration of stories and imagination. It also reflected our commitment to nurturing a lifelong love of reading in our students. 

Across the week, children, staff, families, and visitors came together to enjoy a rich programme of events designed to bring books to life in joyful ways.

The week began with mystery readers from the Dulwich College community visiting each classroom at DUCKS. Children were delighted listening to stories read by familiar faces and new ones alike. These sessions created a warm sense of connection across the wider College community and set a wonderful tone for the week ahead.

We were also thrilled to welcome two inspiring authors to DUCKS:

• On Tuesday 3 March, Alice Alderman engaged our students with lively storytelling and discussions about her creative process.
• On Wednesday 4 March, MC Grammar brought his trademark energy to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, sharing his passion for words, rhythm, and reading. His visit was a highlight for many children, who left the session buzzing with enthusiasm. 

Our Year 2 Sustainability leaders proudly hosted the ever-popular Book Swap on Tuesday. Thanks to generous donations collected the week before, children were able to choose “new-to-them” books while giving pre-loved stories a second life. 

On Wednesday afternoon, parents joined us to read stories in a wide range of languages as part of our Stories from Around the World session. These readings celebrated the rich cultural diversity within our school and offered children a chance to hear familiar stories in languages spoken in different homes. It was a beautiful reminder of the global tapestry that makes DUCKS so special.

Thursday’s parade was a joyful explosion of colour and creativity. Children and staff arrived dressed as their favourite storybook characters, filling the Key Stage 1 playground with excitement. Families gathered to cheer on the parade, making it a truly festive community moment. We were honoured to welcome Jeremy Bowen, BBC International Editor and Ambassador for Read Easy Southwark. Speaking to our community, he shared the vital work that Read Easy does to support adults learning to read. His message reinforced the importance of literacy at every age and inspired us all.

To close the week, children from Key Stage 1 were invited to volunteer as Reading Buddies for our Pre‑Reception and Reception pupils. This activity fosters confidence, empathy, and leadership in our older children while giving our youngest learners a joyful shared reading experience.

Special thanks to everyone for supporting DUCKS during this busy week. We can’t wait to hear how much money has been raised in our Readathon!