Jane Hissey, author of the Old Bear series, officially opened the newly created library at Hassocks Infants School last month.

Headteacher Ady Bates-Holland thanked the PTA for all their work and fundraising, as well as Barratt Homes, who donated money for books. Having only previously had book shelves in corridors, he was particularly pleased to finally have a library at the school. “I am delighted that we have now got a really lovely space where children can develop a love for reading,” Ady said.

The space had been kept under wraps while the library was being created, so the School Council were excited to be the first to see it at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by a published author.

Jane Hissey – whose children went to the school over 30 years ago – wrote numerous books while she lived here, including the first in the series.

She brought Old Bear and Little Bear with her and gifted a copy of her first and most recent book to the library. “You don’t need a huge library for children to learn to love books,” she explained. “I challenge all of you to read every book in this lovely library before you leave the school!”