Resources
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - digital pack
Happy Birthday, Room on the Broom! We’re celebrating 20 years since the publication of the wonderful Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. Luckily, there are plenty of friends around to help her out, and they all want a ride on the broom too. It’s a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn’t used to such a heavy...
Rules for Vampires by Alex Foulkes and Sara Ogilvie - digital pack
Straighten your cape and sharpen your claws… being a vampire is harder than it looks! There are highs and lows to being a vampire. On one claw, you get cool powers like beastly strength and hypnotism and the ability to Grimwalk. On the other claw, however, vampires are bound by the Vampiric Laws: rules to protect the balance between the worlds of the Living and the Undead. And unfortunately, 11-year-old Leo has just forgotten rule number one… the rules for vampires don’t tell you what to do...
Shadowghast by Thomas Taylor - Discussion Guide
A creepy magician with a shadowy act. A legend that goes back to the dawn of time. Eerie-on-Sea just got stranger. And darker… On the eve of Ghastly Night, a hypnotic stage magician, Caliastra, checks in to Eerie-on-Sea’s Grand Nautilus Hotel. She’s arrived with her entourage to put on a show – and she claims to be related to Herbert Lemon. Caliastra’s act is so shadowy and strange that Herbie’s friend Violet wonders if dark forces are at work, but Herbie won’t hear a word said against his...
Celebrate Halloween with Oxford Children’s Books - digital packs
Oxford Children’s Books have a spectacularly spooky pack on offer this Halloween featuring young superhero, Kitty – a girl with feline super powers, children’s favourites Winnie the Witch and her pet cat Wilbur and Isadora Moon and her naughty half witch, half fairy cousin, Mirabelle Starspell! About Winnie and Wilbur: With over 9 million Winnie and Wilbur books sold, Winnie the Witch continues to be one of the most recognisable and well-loved characters in children’s fiction. Her riotous...
Happy Here: 10 Stories from Black British Authors & Illustrators - social media assets
Celebrate Black History Month with Knights Of! Black History Month is an annual event intended to recognise the contribution and achievements of those with African or Caribbean heritage. In recent years it’s become part of the school curriculum and is also celebrated in the community in places such as museums, care homes and workplaces. A broad range of topics is covered, from Britain’s colonial past to migration and music. Most schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on...
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Reading Guide
Faber have created a reading guide to one of the BBC’s ‘100 novels that shaped our world’, and the Guardian called ‘a modern classic’. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath’s only novel, is partially based on Plath’s own life. It has been celebrated for its darkly funny and razor sharp portrait of 1950s society, and continues to reach new readers and sell millions of copies worldwide.
Celebrate Libraries Week with Walker Books - digital resource
Join in the celebrations for Libraries Week with our special library themed double sided poster featuring illustrations from Moose’s Book Bus, an homage to storytime, libraries and community by Inga Moore, one of the most acclaimed children’s bookmakers working today, plus Emily Sutton’s stunning artwork for ‘Don’t Go Into the Library,’ a poem from Everyone Sang: A Poem For Every Feeling, the magnificent anthology of poems collected by the bestselling creator of The Poetry Pharmacy, William...
October, October by Katya Balen - digital resources
‘Quite simply one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave October and her dad live in the woods. They know the trees and the rocks and the lake and stars like best friends. They live in the woods and they are wild. And that’s the way it is. Until the year October turns eleven. That’s the year October rescues a baby owl. It’s the year Dad falls out of the biggest tree in their woods. The year the woman who calls herself October’s mother comes back. The year...
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston – digital resources
Amari Peters knows three things. Her big brother Quinton has gone missing. No one will talk about it. His mysterious job holds a clue… So when she’s invited for a trial at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, Amari is certain this is her chance to save him. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real – and her roommate is a weredragon. Amari must compete for a spot against kids who’ve known this world their whole lives....
100 Poets by John Carey Reading Group Questions
John Carey has compiled a short, uniquely valuable anthology of verse based on a simple principle: select the one hundred greatest poets from across the centuries, and then choose their very best poems. Here are some book club questions to aid discussion.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Reading Group Questions
Readers questions for the award winning All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. WINNER OF THE 2015 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR FICTION A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. A perfect choice for book clubs.
Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave - Classroom resources
A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter, and the great Greenland shark. With mesmerising black and yellow illustrations and presented as a deluxe hardback with tracing paper inserts, this is a perfect gift for 9+ fans of David Almond and Frances Hardinge. ‘Tom de Freston’s stunning illustrations perfectly complement the poetry of Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s story’ Cressida Cowell ‘A truly beautiful book, with text and...
No Man's Land by Joanna Nadin - reading group digital pack
A heart-warming, heart-breaking story of love, bravery and finding a new way to live, No Man’s Land is the brilliant new novel from Joanna Nadin, the acclaimed author of Joe All Alone. ‘I could feel it coming. War, I mean. Creeping up on us, into our town, down our street, into our house. Smiling like a friend, like it was Batman come to save us when really it was the Joker all along.’ With far-right Albion on the brink of war with Europe, ten-year-old Alan and his little brother Sam are sent...
You Will Be Okay by Julie Stokes – School Resources
Hachette Children’s Books have created an essential handbook to provide comfort and guidance for children aged 8+ experiencing loss. About the book The death of a parent, sibling or friend is one of the most traumatic experiences for a child and it can be hard to know how to talk to them about it. In this honest, comforting and strength-building guide, children will be able to look toward the future with hope. Written by clinical psychologist, executive coach and founder of childhood...
100 recommended reads from Peters
Need inspiration for your primary class reads? The Peters Books librarians have shared lists of their top 100 recommended reads for every primary year group – the books they think are must-haves for any classroom!
Wash Your Hands, Mr Panda by Steve Antony - digital resources
Soap? . . . Check. Water? . . . Check. Towel? . . . Check. Are you ready to wash your hands, Mr Panda? Join Mr Panda and friends as they learn all about hand washing, sneeze catching and other good hygiene practices. With a lightness of tone and a gentle humour throughout, this new book in the ever-popular MR PANDA series is perfect for helping little ones to stay safe in a Coronavirus/Covid 19 world. A must-have for all bookshelves.
Summer of Reading from DK Books
Join in the Summer of Reading with DK Books! This file will give you 4 activity packs: 1. Behind the Museum. Explore the world’s most incredible museums in this digital pack. 2. Dragon World. Watch out – dragons about! Become a dragon expert with the help of DK Books and this pack. 3. Move Like a Lion. This activity pack will get you up and moving with author and sports presented Radzi. 4. The Rainforest Book. Want to explore the rainforest? Download this pack to go on an adventure!
Summer Holiday Fun! Activity Pack from Andersen Press
Andersen Press have created a free activity pack full of fun activities inspired by their new titles, perfect for keeping kids busy over the summer holidays. The Summer Holiday Fun! Activity Pack includes colouring sheets, puzzles and drawing activities inspired by a selection of Andersen Press titles; What Will I Be? by Frances Stickley illustrated by Lucy Fleming The Mouse’s Apples by Frances Stickley, illustrated by Kristyna Litten Grumpy Hat by Nicola Kent Peep! by Meg McLaren Grandad’s...
The Memory Thieves by Darren Simpson - Teachers' Notes and Discussion Questions
What you don’t remember can’t hurt you… Cyan has lived at the Elsewhere Sanctuary for as long as he can remember, freed by Dr Haven from dark memories of his past life. But when Cyan finds a mysterious warning carved into the bones of a whale skeleton, he starts to wonder what he had to forget to be so happy. New resident, Jonquil, begins to resist the sanctuary’s treatment, preferring to hold on to her memories – even the bad ones. So when Dr Haven resorts to harsher measures, Cyan embarks...
Choose Songbirds for your next Reading Group
We are pleased to be able to offer downloadable Reading Group questions for Songbirds, the powerful follow-up to The Beekeeper of Aleppo. Nisha has crossed oceans to give her child a future. By day she cares for Petra’s daughter; at night she mothers her own little girl by the light of a phone. Nisha’s lover, Yiannis, is a poacher, hunting the tiny songbirds on their way to Africa each winter. His dreams of a new life, and of marrying Nisha, are shattered when she vanishes. No one cares about...
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna - Teacher Resources
Kiki Kallira is more of a worrier than a warrior. But today she’ll have to be a hero … A magical celebration of creativity and its powers, for fans of The Land of Roar and The Strangeworlds Travel Agency. About the resources This teacher resource pack is bursting with classroom ideas and cross-curricular activities for KS2, covering a range of themes including children’s mental health, anxiety, Hindu mythology and creativity. You can find out more and download the teacher resources here.
The Magic Ocean Slide by Emma Beswetherick - Activity Pack
Join best friends Katy, Cassie and Zia on a series of amazing adventures as they work together to save the planet… On the hottest day of the year, the friends imagine a water slide coming out of Katy’s bedroom window. As they plunge into an underwater world, they can’t wait to explore. But when they meet a dolphin in distress, they realise the ocean is in big trouble. It’s so full of plastic that the sea creatures have been forced to flee their homes. Can the friends come up with a plan to...
Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire by Nat Amoore - Teaching Resources
‘Laughs, family, friendships and a thrilling adventure – Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire has it all.’ Jen Carney, author of The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. ‘Fast-paced, clever and completely hilarious with the BEST cast of characters… LOVE IT TO BITS.’ Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of Dosh. 10-year-old Tess is a born entrepreneur. She just needs to come up with the perfect money-making scheme. Then she finds a million quid buried in her back garden. Never mind where the money came from –...
Radio 2 Book Club titles April-June 2021
Here are all the titles recommended by the Radio 2 Book Club on the Steve Wright in the Afternoon Show from April to June 2021. These books were chosen in collaboration with librarians in the UK. You can find out more on our website.
PESTS by Emer Stamp - Digital Pack
Stix is the tiny but heroic mouse that could be living behind YOUR washing machine. You wouldn’t know it though, because Stix knows how to stay hidden and stick by the rules to avoid being caught by humans. But now Stix has stumbled across PESTS – the Peewit Educatorium for Seriously Terrible Scoundrels – in the basement of his building, and along with a whole host of new pesty friends (and enemies), he’s about to rip up the rule book and make a REAL pest of himself… PESTS is the first book...
Granny Trouble (Anisha, Accidental Detective) by Serena Patel and Emma McCann - Activity Pack
Join Anisha, Accidental Detective as she solves her most recent crime: a stolen diamond! Milo and I have been looking forward to this half-term for what feels like FOREVER – we’re finally going to the National Space Centre, to meet a real-life space engineer! My whole family wanted to tag along and visit a festival first, where this super-famous, mega-expensive diamond is on display. But guess what? The diamond has been STOLEN! And the police think MY GRANNY did it so she’s in serious...
National Poetry Day Discussion Notes
Join in the National Poetry Day celebration on 7 October by choosing a book from the list of recommended books for reading groups. There’s no right or wrong way to approach poetry, or to appreciate and discuss it. This guide will provide your group with questions for each of National Poetry Day’s recommended reads. Enjoy!
Maisy Goes to the Library – Baby & Toddler Storytime pack
Host a Storytime event for Maisy Goes to the Library and celebrate 30 years of Maisy! Maisy the mouse, every toddler’s best friend, spends a crazy day at the library! When Maisy goes to the library it seems like the perfect place to read her story in peace. But Maisy finds the library full of noisy surprises! Walker Books are delighted to share downloadable storytelling tips and an activity kit to help keep the littlest ones entertained. Keep us updated with photos on Twitter via...
We Can Do Better Than This: 35 Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights
To celebrate the publication of WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS: 35 Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights, edited by Amelia Abraham, we have a poster available to download. How can we create a better world for LGBTQ+ people? 35 extraordinary voices share their stories and visions for the future. We talk about achieving ‘LGBTQ+ equality’, but around the world, LGBTQ+ people are still suffering discrimination and extreme violence. How do we solve this urgent problem, allowing queer people everywhere...
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara - Reading Guide Booklet
Discover the heart-rending, unforgettable novel longlisted for the Women’s Prize 2020 with Vintage’s Reading Group Booklet. We would love to see how you use the reading guide on social media using #DjinnPatrol and @VintageBooks. ‘A dazzling, wonderful book’ ELIF SHAFAK ‘The arrival of a literary supernova… Warning: if you begin in the morning, don’t expect to get anything done for the rest of the day’ NEW YORK TIMES In a sprawling Indian city, three friends venture into the most dangerous...
