Croydon schoolchildren get surprise visit from Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice made a surprise visit to a Croydon primary school earlier this month for a special story time with Year 1 pupils.

The 35-year-old royal praised her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, as she read an award-winning picture book to children at West Thornton Primary School, in Rosecourt Road, Croydon, on May 17.

The visit saw the princess read from the picture book When Dinosaurs Walked The Earth, written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Zehra Hicks, which topped the Oscar’s Book Prize shortlist this year.

Jonathan Owen, headteacher at West Thornton Primary School, said: “So much can be taught from picture books and we make sure our children are exposed to a wide range of stories from the very beginning of their school journey.

“One of our school priorities is to ensure that proficient reading skills and a love of reading underpin all learning across our curriculum. 

“The diversity of topics covered in children’s books is greater than ever, and those shortlisted for this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize were no exception to that. 

“We have loved reading them together and it was an absolute delight to have Princess Beatrice visit and read this year’s winning book. It certainly will be a story time to remember.”

Princess Beatrice told the children that she “grew up with an incredible mum” as she reflected on the importance of storytelling for young people and their development.

The event also celebrated the recent launch of Oscar’s Book Club, which has seen Amazon donate all shortlisted books to schools and nurseries across the country, with a team of volunteers supporting on the ground to lead group reading sessions.

Now in its eleventh year, Oscar’s Book Prize is an annual prize for the best illustrated book for young children, which was set up by James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand – named in memory of their son, Oscar, who was three-and-a-half when he died from an undiagnosed heart condition.

Pictured top: Princess Beatrice with a young pupil from West Thornton Primary School (Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)