It is new to primary this term and I am very excited about its development and future expansion. I am being helped by a few dedicated Book Worms from our Key Stage 2 student body and we now have over 300 books in our exchange!
So, what is the story behind our book eXchange? My own children love reading and as a Mum (as well as a teacher) here in Shanghai, I know how difficult it can be to source enough good quality books to keep them busy, happy and interested without having to spend a small fortune on Amazon! So, when my daughter returned to the UK last year, I was left with a shelf full of good quality reading books which I didn’t know what to do with…until I had my ‘light-bulb’ moment and decided to set up the book eXchange!
My vision is to collect a wide range of good quality reading material for our Key Stage 2 students to share and enjoy from as many language groups as possible. If English is your child’s second (or even third) language then giving them the chance to also grow and deepen their language and literacy skills is important too.
The book eXchange is run by children, for children and allows children to have access to even more books each week, on top of the ones they can already borrow from the library.
How do I join?
It’s easy to join the book eXchange; you must donate 2 (or more) good quality books suitable for Key Stage 2 readers. The children do this by bringing them on a Monday or a Friday lunch time when the eXchange is open. We will then give them a Membership book and they can choose a book to take home straight away.
If your children are already members of the book eXchange then please do remind them to exchange their books on a regular basis. We are open every Monday and Friday lunch time.
Book donations
At this time of year, many families move on to a new adventure in a different country, or simply take the opportunity to move house within Shanghai; so if you are packing up and wondering what to do with all those wonderful, good quality books your children no longer want, then I have the perfect solution! Please send them in to our fabulous Key Stage 2 book eXchange. We will be delighted to receive all donations, expand the eXchange and encourage all our children to learn and benefit from the joys of reading.
Loose Change for an eXchange
Finally, as I am sure you will agree, we are all very lucky and privileged to have access to plentiful books in our community and a fabulous education full of opportunity and support. Part of my vision for our fantastic Key stage 2 book eXchange is to use it as an avenue to provide books for the Migrant School which BISS Puxi already has close and supportive links with. Therefore, when your children return their latest book to exchange it for a new one, we are giving them the chance to make a small donation. Clear out your wallets, get rid of all that annoying loose change which weighs you down and let’s get buying books for children who desperately need and deserve a basic education.
Support the book eXchange and support all our children to ‘Read, Share, Learn’
- Sarah Reynolds, book eXchange coordinator