14 August 2020
Silly Squad Colouring Sheet
Download a Silly Squad colouring sheet featuring Izzie the octopus. Illustrations © Laura Ellen Anderson 2020
11 August 2020
How reading can promote writing for pleasure article
We believe that through reading a wide variety of books and texts, children can improve their vocabulary and grow more confident with their own writing ability. To help you with this, we have collated a host of resources and useful...
10 August 2020
When Secrets Set Sail – Blue Plaque Project
When Secrets Set Sail is the breathtaking new adventure from award-winning author Sita Brahmachari. Set in London, adoptive sisters Usha and Imtiaz must race to uncover the secrets of their family’s past, in order to save their home. In the story,...
10 August 2020
Mermaid School - Telling Tails writing activity
Marnie Blue’s class at Lady Sealia Foam’s Mermaid School are holding a cake sale to raise money for their school trip to the Mermaid Lagoon castle. Aunt Christabel says she’ll help Marnie, Pearl and Orla to bake some special treats...
10 August 2020
Mermaid School - Create your own radio station activity sheet
In the Mermaid School books, Christabel Blue is a very successful DJ, with her own Big Blue Show on Radio SeaWave. In the activity sheet children can imagine they have their own show on mermaid radio. Filled with fabulous fishy fun, the...
06 August 2020
Reading guide for Victoria Hislop's THE ISLAND
A reading guide for Victoria Hislop’s multi-million copy seller, THE ISLAND. Find out how to win 10 copies of The Island for your reading group (offer closes 7 September)
05 August 2020
August 2020 - Comics, graphic novels and illustrated books booklists for children and young people
This month our booklist features comics, graphic novels and illustrated books that we think will draw children and young people into the story. We love comics, graphic novels and books that have beautiful illustrations, as well as being fun they...
30 July 2020
Keith Among the Pigeons Activity Pack
Keith Among the Pigeons by Katie Brosnan is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This Keith Among the Pigeons pack includes a cat and pigeon masks, colouring sheets, puzzles and more activities to enjoy at home, in the library,...
28 July 2020
Tricks and Jokes Chatterbooks Activity Pack
In this Chatterbooks activity pack you’ll find some great suggestions for funny books to explore, read and enjoy together. Inspired by Lily the Frog from the Summer Reading Challenge’s Silly Squad, this pack will focus on her favourite things, jokes...
27 July 2020
Dougal Daley - I'm Phenomenal Activity Bundle
Dougal Daley – I’m Phenomenal by Jackie Marchant and Loretta Schauer is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This Dougal Daley bundle includes a wordsearch and English, Maths and Science themed activities. Find out more about this title on...
23 July 2020
The importance of comics, graphic novels and illustrated books article
Like Bamboozle the Panda from the Silly Squad, we love comics, graphic novels and books that have beautiful illustrations. As well as being fun they can be really important to a child’s reading journey. We also share useful sites and...
23 July 2020
Reading Friends Silly Squad session plan
A plan for a Reading Friends session with ideas to get people chatting, linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Silly Squad.
23 July 2020
Education & Training Foundation ESOL for Refugees: resources for new arrivals
Visit the Education & Training foundation for resources and teaching materials to support ESOL learners and specifically refugees. These resources aim to help ESOL practitioners better meet the early integration needs of refugees who are New to ESOL i.e. working below,...
23 July 2020
Beyond Words: Coping with Coronavirus Picture Stories
Free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look at the Beyond Words books for: Beating the Virus Mental health, end of life and bereavement Secure settings Here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/coping-with-coronavirus/#secure-settings
22 July 2020
Dog Diaries Activity Sheets
Dog Diaries: Mission Impawsible by Steven Butler and James Patterson, with illustrations by Richard Watson, is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This Dog Diaries activity pack includes wordsearches, puzzles, spot the difference and more! Find out more on the...
22 July 2020
Reading Friends Silly Squad resource pack
This pack provides activities for all the family to chat about together – grandparents to grandchildren. It is linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Silly Squad – as why should kids have all the fun!
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Comic Making Tips
Learn everything you need to know to make your own comics with these tips from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Legendary postcard
Tell your friends about your own legendary adventures with a Kevin postcard Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Max
Keep Kevin company by learning to draw his best friend, Max, with a step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Daisy
Learn how to draw Max’s goth sister, Daisy (aka Elvira!) with a step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Kevin
Sketch a roly-poly flying pony of your own with this step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Create a legendary pet drawing activity
Kevin is an ABSOLUTE LEGEND. Have a go at creating your own legendary pet! Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Ordinary Legend Quiz
Take Reeve and McIntyre’s quiz to find out what kind of legend YOU are! Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the...
20 July 2020
Kevin's Great Escape: Cardigan Faun Colouring Sheet
Design some fabulous knitwear for the super-stylish Cardigan Faun. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website. Visit the...
20 July 2020
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies by Tom Percival - Chapter 2 Discussion Notes
Meet the Dream Team! Turning nightmares into incredible adventures! Erika’s had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams. She finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies – and to make...
20 July 2020
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies by Tom Percival - Chapter 1 Discussion Notes
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies is the first in a fun and engaging series from Tom Percival, the Carnegie nominated author and illustrator. This series explores anxiety in children through action and adventure. Erika’s had a bad day. But going to...
20 July 2020
Quick Reads survey Twitter card
Share this card with your readers so that we can hear from everyone who has read a Quick Read. Suggested accompanying tweet: Have you read a Quick Read? Share your thoughts in this short survey and be in with a chance to...
17 July 2020
July 2020 - The Great Outdoors booklist for children and young people
This month our booklist is about books that immerse a reader in an environment, where the setting plays an important part to the plot or shows the beauty of nature. We’ve picked some brilliant poetry, picture books, non-fiction and chapter...
16 July 2020
Parentkind and The Reading Agency - Reading as a Family: Top tips for reading together resources
Reading for pleasure delivers enormous benefits for children of all ages. It builds reading and literacy confidence as well as influencing children’s health and wellbeing, future academic achievement and adult life chances. Evidence shows that families can play a key...
16 July 2020
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green - activity pack
They’re Alligators – and Investigators! InvestiGators written and illustrated by John Patrick Green is the new full colour, laugh-out-loud series perfect for emerging readers and fans of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man. Mango and Brash are the InvestiGators: sewer-loving agents of...
