Appeal to open new chapter at Rocklands Primary School

My book recommendation: An Eagle in the Snow, Michael Morpurgo. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

But for the pupils of one rural Norfolk school there's a problem - their library is a cramped space in the corridor and most of its books have seen better days.

So the staff and parents of Rocklands Primary School, near Attleborough, launched an appeal to build a new library and give their pupils enough material to dream away to their hearts' content.

Steven Ginn, deputy head, said the school had raised almost half of the £10,000 needed for the project.

Mr Ginn said: 'Reading is at the centre of everything we do - whether it's something with IT or something musical, there's always some reading in there. And it's something that they carry with them their whole lives.'

My book recommendation: Sea Wolf, David MillerThis book is part of a series, so Im looking forward to reading the others! Its about some children who go on adventures. This one starts with them jumping off a boat. I like it because its adventurous and has lots of good action.Archie Hurlimann, eight. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Fiona Hinton, chairman of the Friends of Rocklands School group (FORS), said the money so far had been raised through bake sales, a summer fete, Christmas quiz and a film night.

Children's illustrator and author Chris Riddell started the ball rolling with a £500 donation from a Carnegie fund earlier in the year.

Mrs Hinton said nothing was more important to the children than reading.

She said: 'It's wonderful to see them enthusiastic enough that they read under the covers with a torch.

My book recommendation: Little Manfred, Michael Morpurgo. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

'We want them to be excited and passionate about reading but they need some inspiration from school.'

Laura Spratt, another parent who is in the friends' group, said the school had doubled in size over the past five years and now had about 75 pupils.

Mrs Spratt said: 'The number has increased quite quickly but the library hasn't kept up with that.'

Donations can be made online at chuffed.org/project/rocklands-book-nook-appeal

My book recommendation: Badly Drawn Beth, Knife and Packer. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)