Year Three pupils at Braddan School knew just where to go for help in their classroom project on a favourite author — they teamed up with the Family Library.

The children have been engrossed with their project on Lauren Child, the author behind the Clarice Bean books and the creator of Charlie and Lola.

The pupils’ endeavours centred on Clarice Bean and they read books from the series, most of which were provided by the Family Library Schools Service.

They then wrote stories, made their own books using collage and font styles inspired by the Clarice Bean series and created their own pictures.

So impressed were the team at the Family Library when they saw the results of the children’s work, they created a display at the library and the children then went on a trip to see the fruits of their labours.

Class teacher Lynne Speller said: ‘The children all loved this project and we could not have done it nearly as well without the help of the Family Library and the Schools Service in particular.

‘The Schools Service is a fantastic resource for teachers and school children.

‘We’ve very grateful to schools librarian Sarah Johnson for all her help and we were delighted to visit the library to see the display.

‘I’m sure a few of our pupils will be signing up to the library’s Summer Reading Scheme as a result.’

The Family Library is run as a charity and it provides its Schools Service for free to educational establishments.

After the library switched to charity status in 2012, it actually expanded the Schools Service. It supplies a number of schools not just with books but other resources and props, including Victorian toys and Viking masks.

Schools librarian Sarah Johnson said: ‘It was lovely to see the children from Braddan School visit and view the display of their work.

‘We’re always happy to help out any school with any project or to arrange visits from schools.

‘If teachers get in touch about a project, I can deliver books and props to them. We love to get involved with the schools in the community.’

The service can offer display materials, DVDs, CDs, puppet sets and artefacts to help with projects.

Teachers can visit the library, next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road, as an individual and take out up to 10 books, but if they go via the Schools service they can loan more books and resources.

The library welcomes class visits and is happy to arrange for readings and activities.

Teachers interested in using the Schools Service, contact Sarah by email at sarah.johnson@familylibrary.im.

•         The Family Library’s Summer Reading Scheme got underway last week and has a Wonderland theme. A summer of events is being organised and there is still time to register for the scheme, which sets the target of reading six books during the summer holidays.

To find out more, check out the Family Library page on Facebook or visit www.familylibrary.im or call the library on 640650.

All smiles: Left to right, Izzy Craig, Isabel Halsall, Jessica Scott and Sarah Bridson during their visit to the library.