15 January 2021
The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell - Resource pack for KS2 Teachers
“I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways.” Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing’s...
12 January 2021
FAQs - Rollout of Reading Friends and Reading Well
Please find the frequently asked questions about the roll out of these programmes.
07 January 2021
How to be a Hero by Cat Weldon - activity pack
How to be a Hero by Cat Weldon, illustrated by Katie Kear A no-good Viking thief. The worst-ever trainee Valkyrie. A hilarious case of mistaken identity. When failing trainee Valkyrie Lotta mistakes an unconscious Viking thief, Whetstone, for a fallen hero and...
07 January 2021
January 2021 Children's and Young People booklist - Something New
As we enter a new year and find ourselves in lockdown, we wanted the first booklist of the year for children and young people to focus on books that we hope will inspire them to learn a new skill, support...
05 January 2021
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse activity
Lovers of children’s classics are in for a treat with the new film Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse, and we have a fun activity resource for families to use to accompany their discussions. Roald and Beatrix,...
18 December 2020
Hope Jones Will Not Eat Meat by Josh Lacey - activity sheets
Hope Jones Will Not Eat Meat by Josh Lacey is the latest book in an inspiring new illustrated fiction series about environmental issues, perfect for readers aged 8+. The books are told in a fun blog format, documenting Hope’s activism...
18 December 2020
December 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Winter Wonderland
As we head into the grey and cold, we thought that we would share some great books set during the Winter or set in beautiful winter wonderlands. We have some classics, lovely illustrated stories and some thrilling page-turners. You can...
11 December 2020
Promotional digital assets for MI9 by Dr Helen Fry
Download social media assets, including shareable cards with information on the book and an author video to promote MI9 by Dr Helen Fry in your library. You can also find an extract from the book about the invention of ‘Q-gadgets’, popularised...
11 December 2020
Social prescribing infographic
Library social prescribing offer infograhpic, customizable for a local service context.
09 December 2020
Schools Get Involved Guide for Reading Well in Wales
A guide for schools in Wales who want to get involved with Reading Well
08 December 2020
There’s a Mouse in My House by Ross Collins - Competition & Digital Activity Pack
The sequel to Ross Collins’ award-winning favourite, There’s a Bear on My Chair, is here! The tables have turned in _There’s a Mouse in My House_… and this time it’s Bear who has an unwelcome guest. This fantastic rhyming picture...
04 December 2020
The Witching Stone by Danny Weston - Digital Pack
UCLan Publishing have created a spooktacular digital pack of videos and discussion points to help you and your pupils enjoy the new YA coming of age horror story from Danny Weston. For Alfie Travers, a summer away from his...
03 December 2020
Q&A with Crime Writer Ryan Gattis
Find out more about crime writer Ryan Gattis and his latest book The System. Take a look at our other resources by Ryan Gattis in the Reading Ahead resources database: How to Read like a Writer and a Creative Writing Competition...
03 December 2020
How To Read Like A Writer - Guide by Crime Writer Ryan Gattis
This resource contains tips from crime writer Ryan Gattis on the importance of reading to be a good writer and what to look out for to build your skills. Take a look at our other resources by Ryan Gattis in the...
03 December 2020
Prison Libraries: Short Story Writing Competition and Creative Writing Top Tips
This competition is only open to people in prison. Publisher Picador and national charity The Reading Agency are holding a 500-word writing competition! This resource contains instructions for entering the competition and creative writing top tips designed for use in prison....
02 December 2020
December 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Books of the Year
It’s been another year of fantastic books and we’re delighted to present our Books of the Year list for 2020 for children and young people. Our staff have chosen their top recommendations of new books from the year. You can...
01 December 2020
Gender Swapped Fairy Tales - Lesson Plan
Once upon a time, in the middle of winter, a King sat at a window and sewed. As he sewed and gazed out onto the landscape, he pricked his finger with the needle, and three drops of blood fell onto...
30 November 2020
Honey for You, Honey for Me – Rhymetime digital event pack
Walker Books have created a fantastic digital pack to help you enjoy and share a new rhyming picture book written and illustrated by the incredible duo, Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell! From Children’s Laureates Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell, the bestselling...
27 November 2020
Celebrating 25 years of Guess How Much I Love You - digital Storytime pack
Celebrating 25 years of Guess How Much I Love You Sometimes when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown...
27 November 2020
Football Superstars - Teachers' Notes, activity sheets and poster
Football Superstars is a series aimed at building a love of reading from a young age, with fun cartoons, inspirational stories, a simple narrative style and a cast of characters chipping in with quotes, jokes and comments. Football Superstars: Ronaldo Rules,...
25 November 2020
Research on loneliness Nov 2020
Read more about the variety of research that has been conducted since the beginning of the pandemic and some key findings.
25 November 2020
Reading Well format availability - all 5 schemes
A spreadsheet containing the ISBNs and format availability of all 5 Reading Well booklists.
23 November 2020
Setting up your Reading Ahead 2021 admin account
Thank-you for purchasing your materials for Reading Ahead 2021. Please fill out this form and email it to readingahead@readingagency.org.uk so that we can create your Reading Ahead admin account. You must have purchased either a print or digital core pack to...
20 November 2020
Shuggie Bain - Booker Prize images
Use these images to promote Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, the winner of the 2020 Booker Prize in your library.
18 November 2020
Guiding Principles of Reading Friends
Take a look at the core principles of Reading Friends as no matter the delivery – in person, over the phone or virtual – there are some key aspects which remain the same.
16 November 2020
The History of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain by Dr Hakim Adi - Teachers' Notes
Newly updated, The History of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain explores why people came to Britain, the problems they faced and the contributions these communities have made to British society. Brought to life with case studies and rarely published photographs,...
09 November 2020
The Ickabog – Activities & Competition Pack
Meet the Ickabog! Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world’s best storytellers, J.K. Rowling. Download a free Monster Competition Starter Pack to run your very own...
05 November 2020
A Christmas Gift from Bob discussion and activity guide
Download this free discussion and activity guide from Lionsgate and CILIP (The Library and Information Association) for the new feel-good Christmas film A Christmas Gift from Bob, based on the bestselling book by James Bowen. In 2007, James Bowen was recovering...
05 November 2020
November 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Non-fiction
For Non-Fiction November, we have created a list filled with the best non-fiction for children and young people. There are memoirs, essay collections and books with great advice. You can join in with the conversation online using #NonFictionBooklist and tagging us...
04 November 2020
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Reading Friends Celebrating Light Session Plan
A plan for a Reading Friends session to get everyone chatting about light and festivals of light.
