EVEN though she has now retired, a former Co Antrim primary school teacher is continuing to pursue her desire to get kids interested in reading – by penning a novel for young children, about the events in a typical primary school year.
Hilltop School by Pauline McGarry tells the story of Daisy, Ben, Adam and their friends and the funny and exciting things that happen to them at school. Included are the big events of any primary school's calendar – the Christmas concert, the school trip and sports day.
A former P3 teacher at St Mary's Star of the Sea, Greencastle, Pauline has aimed the book at seven and eight-year-olds to introduce them to some of the conventions of writing such as the use of chapters, paragraphs, punctuation and direct speech.
"It's an interesting and humorous little story which outlines what happens in a typical primary school year and a perfect read for pupils nearing the end of primary three who are progressing from picture-led books to simple novels," she says.
As well as a touch of history and nostalgia with the mention of blackboards and the millennium school garden party, Pauline introduces serious themes into her book with the chapters The New Girl and Ben is Bullied.
"I wanted to tackle the subject of bullying and get across the message to be good and tolerant to each other," she says.
Over the past few months Pauline has enjoyed sharing the story with children in meet-the-author sessions at local schools. "Like all primary school teachers, it's once a teacher, always a teacher. You always have that desire to teach literacy and get children interested in books." She is also continuing her literacy teaching though the Barnardos Ready to Learn programme, helping promote children’s achievements.
The novel was illustrated by some of the year eight pupils at Crumlin Integrated College and pupils from Gaelscoil Ghleann Daragh in Crumlin. Pauline, whose first book, The Happy Leprechauns, was aimed at passing Irish traditions on to future generations, is already planning on writing her third – Aliens at Hilltop School.
:: You can purchase a copy of Hilltop School by contacting Pauline on 0772 4923 749. Price £3 plus £1 postage and packaging.
