18 March 2019
Heart: A History Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness...
15 March 2019
All The World's a Stage - booklist
Some of the most loved stories have been adapted for the stage—either as plays or musicals. Some you may know, but others might surprise you! We’ve collected some of our favourite books that have been adapted for the stage.
12 March 2019
The Boy Who Flew by Fleur Hitchcock - Resource pack
About the book Athan Wilde dreams of flight. When his friend, Mr Chen, is murdered, Athan must rescue the flying machine they were building together and stop it falling into the wrong hands. But keeping the machine safe puts his family...
12 March 2019
Hugs and Kisses by Sam Hay and Emma Dodd - Activity Pack
There are two sides to every story… Flip the book to read each side of the story in this enchanting tale of a whale and an octopus on their search for love, ending with a huge pop-up surprise. Big Blue Whale is...
11 March 2019
The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis - Reading Notes
The Closest Thing to Flying Present day: Semira doesn’t know where to call home. She and her mother came to England when she was four years old, brought across the desert and the sea by a man who has complete control....
11 March 2019
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Event pack and Teachers' Notes
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Celebrate 30 wonderful years of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt the much-loved family favourite. For thirty years, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning favourite. Michael Rosen brings the story to life for...
11 March 2019
Get involved - health libraries
A document containing information on how to run Reading Well in health libraries.
11 March 2019
The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods - Teaching Resources
The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods Resource Pack for KS2 Teachers This is the story of a sleepy town called Suds. A place where stories fill the air of children turning grey and disappearing without a trace. Poppy and Erasmus are certain there’s...
08 March 2019
Circle by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett - a book trailer
This book trailer is about Circle. This book trailer is also about Circle’s friends Triangle and Square. When they all play hide-and-seek, Circle makes a rule. But when Triangle breaks that rule, Circle has to rescue him… You can find out...
08 March 2019
International Women's Day 2019
This International Women’s Day we have come up with a list of twelve books that we hope express a small section of the enormous range of challenges faced by women across the world in the 21st century. Let us know...
07 March 2019
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - activity pack
This year The Gruffalo is turning 20! To help you celebrate this anniversary and the bestselling phenomenon by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Macmillan Children’s Books have created 20 brilliant activity sheets. Macmillan would love to see how you use the...
07 March 2019
March 2019 Children's booklist - All The World's a Stage
On the 27 March is World Theatre Day and to celebrate we have created a children’s booklist of our favourite books which were then adapted into theatre productions. You can find out more about some of our picks on the...
06 March 2019
Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura - Story Play Notes
About the book Meet Hattie the Magician – she may be little but she is a born performer! Hattie conjures an amazing succession of animals out of her hat, and for a grand finale produces a wonderful habitat where they can all...
05 March 2019
Dave Pigeon 4 by Swapna Haddow - a competition
Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper are taking in the sights of London. Whilst pecking around the gates of the Royal Palace, looking for high-brow snacks to feast on, they meet Prince Raju Pigeon, one of the Queen’s personal...
05 March 2019
A Street Through Time by Steve Noon and DK - a competition
DK are updating our classic book A Street Through Time, and as part of this they want to know what children think a street will look like in 2070! DK are inviting you to have your child or class draw...
05 March 2019
Fated by Teri Terry - discussion questions
I’m just one girl. What can I do? Sam’s cosy life as daughter of the Deputy Prime Minister is about to end. These are turbulent times. Borders have closed and protests are turning violent. The government blames the country’s youth, and...
04 March 2019
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Storyime pack
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along...
04 March 2019
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Teacher Notes
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along...
04 March 2019
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Event poster and activity sheets
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along...
04 March 2019
The Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler - a KS2 Resource Pack
Hachette Children’s Group have created a fantastic Resource Pack based around The Emily Windsnap series. It’s time to dive deep into a world beneath the waves: a magical world of mermaids, fun, friendship and adventure. This Resource Pack is designed to...
01 March 2019
The Summer Reading Challenge review 2018, full document
The Summer Reading Challenge is reviewed every four years to check it is still working well, to respond to changing operational needs, and to identify potential improvements and growth. The review was ambitious in its scope and generated more than...
01 March 2019
Summer Reading Challenge Review 2018, executive summary
The Summer Reading Challenge is reviewed every four years to check it is still working well, to respond to changing operational needs, and to identify potential improvements and growth. The review was ambitious in its scope and generated more than...
28 February 2019
Setting up a youth volunteering offer
A guide to starting a youth volunteering offer from scratch, either during the Summer Reading Challenge or year-round. This pack will be useful to libraries that want to start working with young volunteers in a sustainable way. This pack covers the...
28 February 2019
Summer Volunteering Training Toolkit
Resources to support libraries in training young volunteers during the Summer Reading Challenge and year-round. This pack includes: a training presentation for young people, a training guide for library staff, a guide to using www.readinghack.org.uk a volunteering guide for young people, a sample volunteer agreement form
27 February 2019
Book to Film Adaptions
In the spirit of the Oscars, here are some of our favourite books that have been made into movies. From from sci-fi to thrillers, and weepy dramas to clever true stories – can the film ever be better than the...
21 February 2019
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - author video
Angie Thomas, the award-winning author of The Hate U Give, is back with On the Come Up, a powerful story about hip hop, prejudice and fighting for your dreams. Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all...
19 February 2019
PROUD - Reader Discussion Notes and Teaching Resource Guide
PROUD is an exciting anthology of brand new stories and poetry by YA authors and illustrators exploring the theme of pride. PROUD is a rainbow-riotous celebration of LGBTQ+ talent and is the perfect book to discuss during “LGBT History Month”...
15 February 2019
Lasting Letters
Valentine’s Day got us thinking about love letters, and how many incredible books there are that feature letters. We’ve put together a selection of books about letters, featuring letters, and even written as one long letter.
14 February 2019
Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith - a video
Bear Moves Bear’s in a dancing mood, and his friend Bunny is happy to help out with the boom box. With moves like Furry Breaking, Running Bear (you run but don’t go anywhere), and the classic back spin, who could blame...
14 February 2019
Kiss the Crocodile by Sean Taylor - a video
Kiss the Crocodile Down in the jungle, three best friends – Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater – are playing silly games together. After Stick Splash, Scary Monsters and Silly Dancing, they spy Little Crocodile and his big crocodile mum in the swamp....
