Tag Archives: Books

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Coram Beanstalk turns 50

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Today Coram Beanstalk had a gathering on its London campus to celebrate its 50th birthday with its reading volunteers. Some of the volunteers joined online, and those that were close enough came through the door to listen to the talks, and to discuss the best ways to help young readers.

The big messages of the day were a ‘thank you’ to the volunteers from the staff at Coram, alongside some powerful talks from headteachers about the positive impact of the programme, which they said did so much to build up the confidence of the children, alongside a love of reading.

At the end of it all the High Sheriff of Greater London – probably melting in her official coat and hat, and looking wonderful enough to have stepped out of one of the books on display – handed out certificates to the longest serving volunteers, some of whom had volunteered for over fifteen years. Then came cake cutting and a final message – Coram Beanstalk are looking for more volunteers. The charity provides training, and books to begin, and is always there to offer on-going support.

Perhaps, if you’re interested and have a few hours a week to give to a local primary school in England, you might like to look them up online and take it from there.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The pleasure of reading

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Reading with children has been one of my greatest pleasures for decades.

At first I read with my own children, but now they are grown, I read with other people’s. I can’t begin to describe the worlds we’ve seen. We are explorers, our way led by libraries.

In the early days of reading with my children it was the illustrations that mattered, each taking us deeper into the stories. Then gradually the pictures vanished from the books we chose. Our imaginations became the artists, and we painted with the print on the page. Now my sons read more than I can ever read, visiting complexities and lives I shall never know. That is their magic, and my pleasure is trying to pass some of that on, although often it is children who return it to me.

They arrive with books that make them laugh, or that frighten them. Books that tell them stuff, or explain. Together we read through them, looking, and unlocking what’s on the page.

The more I do the reading, the more I am in awe of the power of print. No screens, no audio, and yet still the stories unfold.

Perhaps we all need to read a little more. To slow down. To switch off the screens, and the audio. To sit in silence, and turn the pages of a book. It is a kind of oasis, a place shared with others on their own journeys.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The Phraser – an apology and an explanation

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My desk - it's been busy

My desk – it’s been busy

Dear Reader,

In case you’re there, and wondering where I might be, this is an apology for the silence, and an explanation … two explanations. The first is sad, and the second is hopeful.

  1. I’ve just been to Scotland for the funeral of a wonderful lady and friend; and
  2. I’m tidying up The Phraser to make it easier to navigate, and to prepare for a new focus on all things to do with books.

The site should be ready and gleaming by the end of the month. Meanwhile, I hope you have the time to do some browsing – The Phraser is open for that.

I look forward to getting back to you, and wish you good reading and good company … always!

Georgie