Students dressed up as their favourite book characters and visited businesses in Kurri to have stories read to them.

Six groups visited Coles, Newcastle Permanent, NRMA, KFC, Sylvester Real Estate and Rotary Park, where staff and teachers read books which have been shortlisted in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year competition.

The school started at Kurri Library where staff read and acted out scenes from some of the books.

School principal Anne Carr said this was a real highlight of the day, as the staff really went out of their way to engage the children.

After visiting the businesses the students travelled back to school for their book parade and picnic with the parents.

The school also held a book fair, with sales going towards buying more books for the school’s library.

Ms. Carr said every single student got really involved in dressing up, with two parents and the Coles staff also taking part in wearing costumes.

“The kids really love it,” she said.

“They came in so excited.”

Book Week is a national celebration of literature from August 22 to 28, organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, with this year’s theme being “books light up our world”.

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Are you or your children participating in Book Week?  Send your pictures to sage.swinton@fairfax media.com.au.