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30 Jan 2024

A Better Day by Dr Alex George - author video for Children's Mental Health Week

Winner of the Children’s Non-fiction Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023 Start the new year with this positive wellbeing handbook. What if we could think of mental health in a positive way? Sweep away the rain clouds. Talk about what’s on our minds. And care for our mental health in the same way we look after our bodies. In this empowering and hopeful handbook, Youth Mental Health Ambassador Dr Alex George is here to show children how. A Better Day is a positive, accessible and...

18 Jan 2024

Reader Reviews January 2024

Did you know that we offer free reading group sets of books for groups every month? All we ask for in return are reviews. If you’d like to find out more you can sign up to our newsletters. Every month we will be sharing reviews from our readers who have received copies of the latest books from our publisher partners. If you are part of an adult reading group, make sure you sign up to our Reading Groups for Everyone where you can find lots more reviews from readers and apply for sets of books...

16 Jan 2024

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf - digital resources

An empowering retelling of Little Red Riding Hood about challenging the traditional narratives we are told, with a confident, autistic character at its heart. Gina Kaminski is here to tell you three facts. 1 – Little Red Riding Hood is full of BIG mistakes. 2 – She is off to fairy tale land to fix them. 3 – She WILL save the wolf. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Certainly not Gina as she takes the narrative lead and tells the story in her own distinctive way. With fantastic illustrations...

09 Jan 2024

The Reading Agency’s January booklist - New Year, New Adventures

To kick off 2024 we have picked books that will either help you learn something new or will take you away on new adventures. Whether you’re looking to delve into some self-improvement, explore the wonders of nature, conduct mind-boggling science experiments, or embark on thrilling fictional journeys, our picks should help to start your year of exciting adventures. Tell us on social media by tagging readingagency and using #booklist. You can also find the booklists on our Bookshop.org page...

19 Dec 2023

The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown - digital pack (including extracts)

From bestselling author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed third book in his New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot series, exploring what happens when nature and technology collide. The digital pack includes: • A4 Poster – downloadable PDF • The Wild Robot Teaching Resources – downloadable PDF • The Wild Robot Discussion Notes – downloadable PDF • 3 x Sneak Peek Extracts – downloadable PDFs Download the digital resource here. More about the book The...

18 Dec 2023

Indi Raye is Totally Faking It by Lauren Layfield - Activity sheet and extract

For fans of GEEK GIRL and SUPER AWKWARD comes a hilarious new teen series from CBBC presenter and Capital DJ, Lauren Layfield. Meet Indi. She’s new to Manchester with approximately zero friends. Unless you count Gary, who, unfortunately, is a gecko. If Indi’s going to find some real mates – and maybe even a boyfriend – she’s going to have to FAKE IT. How else is she going to survive her first job in a chippy, which is anything but glam vibes? And how on earth will she attract school crush...

12 Dec 2023

The Reading Agency’s December booklist for children and young people - Books of the Year!

At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and left us with a lot to discuss. Members of our team have picked the books that have stood out for them in 2024. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Tell us on social media by tagging readingagency and using #BooksOfTheYear. You can also find the booklists on our Bookshop.org page where you can buy...

12 Dec 2023

The Reading Agency’s December booklist for adults - Books of the Year!

At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and left us with a lot to discuss. Members of our team have picked the books that have stood out for them in 2024. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Tell us on social media by tagging readingagency and using #BooksOfTheYear. You can also find the booklists on our Bookshop.org page where you can buy...

04 Dec 2023

Fundraising Guide

Interested in raising funds to help us on our mission to get everyone reading? Our fundraising guide is packed with ideas, tips and materials to get you started.

28 Nov 2023

Luna Loves Christmas by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers - Activity Pack

From award-winning Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, the fourth book in the Luna Loves… series celebrates separated families at Christmas time, and shows the power of giving to bring people together. Luna loves Christmas. Sometimes at Mum’s, sometimes at Dad’s, she gets two trees, two dinners, two advent calendars to open… but this Christmas, Luna’s family are doing something different. They’re volunteering, and Luna can’t wait for them to all be together at the community Christmas...

28 Nov 2023

Get inspired with award-winning poet Joshua Seigal

Get inspired with award-winning poet Joshua Seigal including teaching notes and a video of Joshua reading one of his poems from his new book, <i? Who Let the Words Out? About Who Let the Words Out? A marvellous new collection of poems by Joshua Seigal, two-time winner of the Laugh Out Loud Awards – the UK’s only prize for funny children’s books. Someone has let the words out… and they’re going to have some fun! ‘Joshua Seigal is definitely my new favourite poet.’ Books for Keeps ‘Joshua...

22 Nov 2023

Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with Tom de Freston - activity pack

‘A thing of beauty both inside and out’ A.F. Steadman, author of SKANDAR From bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave and acclaimed illustrator Tom de Freston – the duo behind the award-winning Julia and the Shark – Leila and the Blue Fox tells the breathtaking story of one small fox’s journey across the Arctic, and one girl’s journey to find the mother she thought she’d lost. Sensitively exploring themes of migration, climate change and complex family relationships, and wrapped up in...

20 Nov 2023

The Magic Faraway Tree A Christmas Adventure by Jacqueline Wilson - Activity Sheet

Explore the much-loved Magic Faraway Tree at the most special time of the year. This brand-new story by superstar author Jacqueline Wilson is set in the original world created by Enid Blyton. Milo, Mia and Birdy are excited to return to the cottage beside the Enchanted Wood for Christmas. They can’t wait to visit their magical friends Silky the fairy and Moonface again. Which amazing worlds will arrive at the top of the Faraway Tree at this time of year? The children are hoping for a trip to...

16 Nov 2023

Tottenham's Big Read 2023 - Amazing Bodies Activity Pack - Greyscale

This version of the activity pack is in greyscale for printing. This activity pack is available to support children’s reading of the book, Amazing Bodies by Dr Ronx. Find fun reading and writing activities to test children’s understanding, as well as exciting science experiments to show the content of the book in real life. The Reading Agency are supporting the Bernie Grants Arts Centre in giving away free copies of Amazing Bodies, by award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor, CBBC’s...

16 Nov 2023

Tottenham's Big Read 2023 - Amazing Bodies Activity Pack

This activity pack is available to support children’s reading of the book, Amazing Bodies by Dr Ronx. Find fun reading and writing activities to test children’s understanding, as well as exciting science experiments to show the content of the book in real life. The Reading Agency are supporting the Bernie Grants Arts Centre in giving away free copies of Amazing Bodies, by award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor, CBBC’s Operation Ouch! presenter, and activist, Dr Ronx. Children can...

15 Nov 2023

The Christmas Pig - festive resources and activities

As the end of term fast approaches, Hachette Children’s Group have got just what you need to create your very own Christmas story-time adventure! Imagine a place where all the lost things go, a place where love can bring things to life, and what is lost might just be found… J.K. Rowling’s The Christmas Pig is a heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child’s love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. Read along with your class and use Hachette Children’s...

10 Nov 2023

Murder in Velvet Teaching Materials

13-year-old Grace loves her new charity shop coat. In fact, it’s perfect. Except for one tiny thing. When she wears it, she sees visions of the previous owner’s life … and their murder! A gripping story of secrets and murder for fans of fast-paced thrillers.

10 Nov 2023

Operation Nativity Classroom Pack

When Oscar and Molly rush outside to investigate a crash in the night, they’re not expecting to find a dazed Angel Gabriel wandering around their grandparents’ back garden. And they’re certainly not expecting to find themselves in a race to save Christmas. But if they don’t track down a missing shepherd, wise man, donkey and the actual Mary and Joseph, who’ve all crash-landed in Chipping Bottom, not only will Christmas cease to exist, but they will too. Operation Nativity is on.

09 Nov 2023

Reading Power Fundraising Materials

If you’re planning to raise money for The Reading Agency, take a look at our fundraising materials to help you plan your event Every penny you raise will help to bring the magic of books to more people around the UK.

02 Nov 2023

The Reading Agency’s November booklist – Debuts

November marks National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo (as it’s more commonly known). We want to celebrate some of our favourite debut authors/illustrators of 2023. From beautifully illustrated picture books, thrilling middle grade, YA titles to escape with and a mixture of non-fiction and fiction adult titles. Dive in today and don’t forget to tell us what you thought of any of the books on the list. You can buy the books from Bookshop.org. Looking to share the magic of reading with young...

01 Nov 2023

Everyday Action, Everyday Change by Natalie and Noami Evans

Making changes that help make the world a fairer place can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start?   Well… Small actions really can make a big difference!   In this inspiring guide, changemakers, sisters and founders of Everyday Racism, Natalie and Naomi Evans, give readers empowering advice for dealing with the issues we see, hear about and face every day, from racism and sexism to homophobia and ableism, providing you with achievable everyday actions to create change!   Tips for...

30 Oct 2023

Percy Jackson series - digital activity pack and social media

HALF BOY – HALF GOD – ALL HERO. Now with a new cover look, read the story that launched Percy Jackson into the stratosphere, before the Disney+ series comes out! Look, I never asked to be the son of a Greek god. I was just a normal kid… until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Percy Jackson is having a bad week. His life has gone from totally normal to monsters-from-Greek-mythology-randomly-appearing kind of strange. Worse still, the king of the gods thinks Percy has stolen his...

25 Oct 2023

The Myth Keeper by Jasmine Richards Activity Sheets

Magic and myth collide in this fast-paced middle-grade fantasy, a sequel to The Unmorrow Curse. Download these free children’s activity sheets.

20 Oct 2023

A Memoir of My Former Self by Hilary Mantel - digital resources

The magnificent final book from one of our greatest contemporary writers. As well as her celebrated career as a novelist, Hilary Mantel long contributed to newspapers and journals, unspooling stories from her own life and illuminating the world as she found it. This strand of her writing was an integral part of how she thought of herself. ‘Ink is a generative fluid,’ she explains. ‘If you don’t mean your words to breed consequences, don’t write at all.’ A Memoir of My Former Self collects the...

19 Oct 2023

Magic Faces by Esi Merleh Activity Pack

Open the magic face paints and adventure awaits . . . Twins Alanna and Austin find an old face-painting kit in their Aunty Kessie’s studio, and inside is a magic paintbrush! The paintbrush asks them to choose a story world, and then transforms them into characters, ready for adventure! Together, the twins explore a whole series of different worlds, and discover more about themselves and their sibling bond along the way. Download these fabulous free activity sheets.

19 Oct 2023

Reader Reviews October 2023 - what readers thought about books this month!

Did you know that we offer free reading group sets of books for groups every month? All we ask for in return are reviews. If you’d like to find out more you can sign up to our newsletters. Every month we will be sharing reviews from our readers who have received copies of the latest books from our publisher partners. Books reviewed in October include: Children’s The Stories Grandma Forgot Questions and Answers about Refugees Adults The Favour A Tidy Ending The Good Servant The Bookbinder of...

18 Oct 2023

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne Reading Group Questions

Reading group questions for You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne. Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can… What would you choose? “Razor-sharp and compelling, it is essential reading for every teenage girl.” The Observer “This book is brilliant, brutal and beautiful. A spectacular must-read that manages to put into words all the things that can be so hard to say about the world today.” Beth Reekles   “The Doctrine exists to make us believe we are less than, so we don’t have the...

16 Oct 2023

The Train of Dark Wonders Activity Pack

Jump aboard for a journey to strange and spectacular lands. Following the death of her grandfather, Bess is handed the keys to his most prized possession – his Odditorium. She has always loved the strange and magical wonders within. But unless she can come up with a plan to draw in the crowds, she will have to close its doors for good. When a mysterious train pulls into town heading for the Land of Halloween Sweets, it looks like this might be her chance to save the Odditorium. So Bess sneaks...

11 Oct 2023

You Can't Let An Elephant Pull Santa's Sleigh

‘Fantastic festive fun from a superbly silly series!’ Caryl Hart, bestselling picture book author An alpaca pulling your cracker? Penguins carol singing? A buffalo under the mistletoe? Oh no . . . that just won’t do! Join in the fun as a band of crazy creatures try to get into the festive spirit in this brilliantly bonkers new book from the creators of You Can’t Take an Elephant on the Bus. Download your digital pack which includes colouring and activity sheets, social media assets and a...

10 Oct 2023

Reading Power: Communications Toolkit

Support our fundraising campaign focused on improving adult reading confidence across the UK.

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