Resources
Royal Society Young People's Book Prize - Chatterbooks Activity Pack
The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize aims to inspire young people to read about science and promotes the writing of excellent, accessible books for under-14s. We have created a Chatterbooks Pack featuring this year’s brilliant shortlisted titles. There are plenty of activities to keep your group interested and engaged with science themed books.
Books to Make You Laugh and Cry #NRGD18
To celebrate National Reading Group Day 2018, we asked reading groups to share the books that made them laugh, cry, or both. We know that books that cause an emotional reaction are the ones that stay with you, so take a look and see what you think! Have you read any of the books on the list? What other titles would you have included? Let us know online using #NRGD18. To download the list, click the link below.
Dr Ben Garrod - So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs activity pack
So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs? Biologist and TV scientist Ben Garrod has written a fun, funny, informative and collectible series about dinosaurs. The series will be launching with T. Rex, Diplodocus and Tricearatops. To celebrate this new series, Head of Zeus have created a fantastic activity pack to help get children even more excited about dinosaurs and reading. Did you know that not all dinosaurs are green and scaly, some are ginger and feathered, or that they didn’t all roar,...
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
Reading group questions for The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth.
Tropical Terry by Jarvis - a book trailer
Terry wants to stand out. But, in Coral Reef City, it’s sometimes better to blend in… Coral Reef City is home to the most dazzling shoals of tropical fish in ALL the ocean. And then there is Terry. Terry looks grey. Terry feels dull. And although he is the best at playing “Hide A Fish”, he can’t help but wonder: Just what would it feel like to be part of that dashing, flashing crew? So, with the help of his friends, he fashions a flashy costume and is ready to impress… “Hello-o-o everybody!...
The Songs by Charles Elton Reading Group Guide
A Reading Group Guide to the new novel from the bestselling author of Mr Toppit, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.
Happily Ever After: The Little Mermaid by Alex Fields - Teacher's Notes
A little mermaid must say goodbye to her sea legs if she is to be with her prince. Owen Swan’s ethereal illustrations recreate life and beauty under the sea. AGE: 4-8 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author “here”: https://www.newfrontier.com.au/books/happily-ever-after-the-little-mermaid.
DK Football Book - Poster (Digital)
DK presents three books all about football, telling you everything you need to know in preparation for the 2018 World Cup. To help you celebrate, this poster has been created to display.
DK Star Wars Maker Lab – Activity Sheet
Ever wanted to move things without touching them like a Jedi can? Or grow your own kyber crystal? Or maybe explode a balloon with a beam of energy, just like the Death Star? Now you can! With 20 amazing projects, Star Wars™ Maker Lab teaches your budding Padawan how to become a Master of science, in both the real world and the Star Wars galaxy. Using clear step-by-step instructions, the book guides home scientists and makers through each exciting experiment-from making Jabba’s gooey slime or...
Big Bones by Laura Dockrill - Live out loud: Secondary School resources packs
This resource pack is based on Big Bones, a vibrant and bold teen novel from writer and performance poet Laura Dockrill. It is a coming-of-age story about self-appreciation, body-confidence and learning how to love yourself and others – and it will help young people to not only explore societal pressures around body image, but also to champion their own unique individuality. The activities in this pack are an enticing introduction to the themes in Laura’s book, but they also serve as a mini...
Children's University
Find out how children can earn Children’s University hours by taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge and Chatterbooks groups.
RHS I Can Grow a Sunflower - Sunflower colouring sheet
“This is a wonderful first gardening book for young children that perfectly captures the magic of growing a beautiful plant from a tiny seed.” Jamie Butterworth, RHS Ambassador A delightful introduction to plant life and nature, as little ones get hands-on to grow their own sunflowers. Includes sunflower seeds, a sunflower height chart, and exciting flaps. RHS I Can Grow a Sunflower is a friendly approach to plant science and a great gift for little gardeners. Sixteen bright board book pages...
City vs. Country
Do you prefer being in the city or the countryside? We’ve selected some of our favourite books about urban and rural spaces.
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
A Reading Group Guide for The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya. About The Girl Who Smiled Beads “The plot provided by the universe was filled with starvation, war and rape. I would not—could not—live in that tale.” Clemantine Wamariya was six years old when her mother and father began to speak in whispers, when neighbors began to disappear, and when she heard the loud, ugly sounds her brother said were thunder. In 1994, she and her fifteen-year-old sister, Claire, fled the Rwandan...
The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant - The Great Library Orienteering Challenge
The Children of Castle Rock ‘There would be at least two betrayals, a few lies and a couple of near-death experiences before they could really call themselves friends’ Alice Mistlethwaite has been packed off to an unusual boarding school in Scotland. Everyone is talking about the Great Orienteering Challenge, where students are sent off, unsupervised, for three days! Alice sees her chance… She just needs to persuade her teammates, rule-abiding Jesse and mischief-maker Fergus, to follow her...
My Sister by Joanna Young - Teacher's Notes
My Sister This stunning picture book shows the special relationship that exists between two sisters. Soft, beautiful illustrations and simple text make this the perfect bedtime read. AGE : 2 – 6 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author here.
How Many Dinosaurs Deep? by Ben Kitchin and Vicky Fieldhouse - Teacher's Notes
How Many Dinosaurs Deep? Jim is not quite sure that he’s ready to move from the baby pool to the middle-sized pool. Can a group of splashing, sploshing dinosaurs help him face his fear? AGE : 3 – 6 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author here.
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald - Event Day digital resources pack
Judy Moody Another day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest-best, in this laugh-a-minute first adventure in the international bestselling series. Bad moods, good moods, even back-to-school moods – Judy has them all! Meet Judy Moody, her little “bother” Stink, her best friend Rocky and her “pest” friend Frank Pearl. Judy has a mood for every occasion, but when a new teacher gives the class a “Me” collage project, Judy has so much fun that she nearly forgets to be moody at all! Judy...
Frankenstein in Baghdad - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi, translated by Jonathan Wright is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Frankenstein in Baghdad. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Like a Fading Shadow - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Like a Fading Shadow by Antonio Muñoz Molina, translated by Camilo A. Ramirez is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Like a Fading Shadow. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
The World Goes On - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. The World Goes On by László Krasznahorkai, translated by John Batki, Ottilie Mulzet & George Szirtes is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as The World Goes On.
The White Book - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. The White Book by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as The White Book. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Flights - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Flights by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Flights. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Vernon Subutex 1 - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Vernon Subutex 1 by Virginie Despentes, translated by Frank Wynne, is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Vernon Subutex 1. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Inventions and discoveries Chatterbooks activity pack
Think of the wheel, ships, aeroplanes, TV, the Internet – and crisps, coffee machines and zip fasteners, toilets and microwaves! This Chatterbooks activity pack is full of reading ideas and activities about inventions and discoveries – how they came about, how they work, and the differences they make to people’s lives.
Kid Normal by Greg Jame and Chris Smith - digital activity pack and competition
Get your free activity pack and display materials for the latest Kid Normal adventure from Greg James and Chris Smith! Murph Cooper is BACK in the second hotly-anticipated Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes. To celebrate the second epically funny book in the series, Bloomsbury have created a fantastic activity pack, including a competition to win a signed copy of the book. Each pack includes Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes discussion questions, a bunting craft activity, a Superhero ID badge and...
The Wonderling by Mira Bartók - A3 poster (digital)
The Wonderling In this extraordinary debut novel with its deft nod to Dickensian heroes and rogues, Mira Bartók tells the story of Arthur, a shy, fox-like foundling with only one ear and a desperate desire to belong, as he seeks his destiny. To help you celebrate this great story in your libraries, Walker have provided this beautiful poster for you to use.
The Wonderling by Mira Bartók - Discussion guide
The Wonderling In this extraordinary debut novel with its deft nod to Dickensian heroes and rogues, Mira Bartók tells the story of Arthur, a shy, fox-like foundling with only one ear and a desperate desire to belong, as he seeks his destiny. Welcome to the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an institution run by evil Miss Carbunkle, a cunning villainess who believes her terrified young charges exist only to serve and suffer. Part animal and part human, the groundlings toil in...
Maria and Me by Miguel Gallardo - A guide and extract
Monday 26 March kicks off Autism Awareness Week. We are thrilled to have the brilliant Maria and Me by Miguel Gallardo as one of our Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge selected books. It’s a father’s first-hand account of what life is like with his daughter Maria who has autism. On a trip to the Canary Islands in Spain, some challenges arise as a result. This comic shows how the two work around these issues, and gives insight into how Maria sees and experiences the world. The comic is a...
Scythe by Neal Shusterman - a book trailer
In a perfect world, what is there left to fear? A chilling and thought-provoking sci-fi novel from New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman. A dark, gripping and witty thriller in which the only thing humanity has control over is death. In a world where disease, war and crime have been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional scythes. Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythes’ apprentices, and despite wanting...
