Resources
Latest opportunities from our publisher partners for schools and libraries
If you have a reading group with children or work in a school or library – we have some fantastic opportunities for you! There are Read and Review opportunities where you have a chance of receiving 10 copies of a brilliant new book for your group! Finally we have hundreds of fantastic digital packs and resources including booklists on our Chatterbooks resources page. Click on the links to find out more.
The Strawberry Thief Reading Group Guide
If you are reading The Strawberry Thief as part of a reading group, here are some questions and resources to help get you started created by the author Joanne Harris. Warning: questions may contain spoilers!
Fing by David Walliams - Digital Activity Pack
Meet the Meeks! Myrtle Meek has everything she could possibly want. But everything isn’t enough. She wants more, more, MORE! When Myrtle declares she wants a FING, there’s only one problem… What is a FING? Mr and Mrs Meek will do anything to keep their darling daughter happy, even visit the spooky library vaults to delve into the dusty pages of the mysterious Monsterpedia. Their desperate quest leads to the depths of the jungliest jungle where the rarest creatures can be found. But will they...
March 2021 Children's and Young People booklist - Books to Make You Smile
World Book Night is the annual celebration of books and reading on 23 April that brings people from all backgrounds together for one reason – to inspire others to read more. Presented by The Reading Agency, and in partnership with Specsavers, in 2021 we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary with a special Books to Make You Smile theme. To help the whole family read and smile together we have created a booklist for children and young people to enjoy. You can join in with the conversation online...
Andersen Press Easter Holiday Fun - activity pack
Andersen Press are continuing their commitment to supporting children and families who will be spending a lot of time at home over the Easter holidays, with a new activity pack featuring resources inspired by new titles. The pack is free to download and available to everyone – designed not only for families, but also bookshops and libraries who may be looking for activities to share with their patrons and customers. The Easter Holiday Fun! activity pack features free colouring sheets, word...
Circus Maximus by Annelise Gray - Teaching Resources
Welcome to the great Circus Maximus, the most glorious sporting stage in Ancient Rome, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer. She’s lost her heart to Porcellus, a wild, tempestuous horse she longs to train and race. But such ambitions are forbidden to girls and she must be content with helping her father Antonius the trainer of Rome’s most popular racing team. But...
Bumper pack of activity sheets from OUP Childrens
Oxford University Press Children’s Books are helping you spring into reading with a bumper pack of activity sheets and reading notes. These resources include activities based on brilliant titles such as Victioria Stich, Winnie and Wilbur, Roald Dahl, Pippi Longstocking and Isadora Moon. Please do tag us in your social media posts, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at OUPChildrens and readingagency.
The Supreme Lie by Geraldine McCaughrean - Discussion Questions
Twice Carnegie medal winning Geraldine McCaughrean’s enthralling new novel is set in a world paralysed by natural disaster and dangerous lies. Fifteen-year-old Gloria is maid to Afalia’s tyrannical Head of State, Madame Suprema. When the country is hit by unprecedented flooding, Madame Suprema runs away, fearing she will be blamed for the crisis. To cover up this cowardly act, Gloria is made to step into Madame Suprema’s shoes and is thrust into a world of corrupt and desperate politicians....
44 Tiny Secrets and 44 Tiny Acrobats by Sylvia Bishop and Ashley King - Teachers' guides and activity
44 Tiny Secrets is the first book in a heartwarming and timeless new series with a brave and spirited heroine, from the acclaimed duo behind The Bookshop Girl. Betsy Bow-Linnet is determined to become a world famous concert pianist like her parents. There’s just one problem: no matter how hard she practises she doesn’t share their musical talents. So when a mysterious letter arrives from a woman claiming to know of an unusual Method that will make Betsy’s playing ‘stupendous’, Betsy jumps at...
Mort the Meek by by Rachel DelaHaye - Book trailer and teachers' guide
The first in a wickedly funny new series about an aspiring pacifist in a brutal kingdom! On Brutalia violence is a way of life. Ravenous ravens circle overhead, monstrous grot bears cause chaos and the streets are bulging with brawls. But Mort isn’t like the other islanders – he’s determined to live peacefully. His struggle is made even tougher when the cruel queen appoints Mort as Royal Executioner. No one has challenged the royals and lived to tell the tale. Can Mort keep his head and...
Protect the Planet by Jess French - Author video
This World Book Day, are you ready to help save our world? In Protect the Planet from DK Books you can discover fascinating facts and practical solutions on what you can do to help solve some of the major problems our planet and environment is facing. From small changes you can make that can have a large impact, to how you can raise awareness about what we can do to help planet Earth in your community, join author, vet, TV presenter, and animal expert Jess French on her mission to make the...
Protect the Planet by Jess French - Digital pack
This World Book Day, are you ready to help save our world? In Protect the Planet from DK Books you can discover fascinating facts and practical solutions on what you can do to help solve some of the major problems our planet and environment is facing. From small changes you can make that can have a large impact, to how you can raise awareness about what we can do to help planet Earth in your community, join author, vet, TV presenter, and animal expert Jess French on her mission to make the...
March 2021 Children's and Young People booklist - Wonder Women
March is Women’s History Month, so we have created a booklist to celebrate some of our favourite stories about inspirational girls and women or fantastic books written by them. We hope that you will enjoy reading and discussing these stories together. You can join in with the conversation online using #WonderWomenBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook. You can find out more about the books on the list on our Bookshop.org page.
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Mystery Jewel Thief - Digital Activity Packs
Toto is no ordinary cat, and she can’t wait for you to join her on her fourth ninja adventure! From one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters, purrfect for fans of The Aristocats, The Secret Life of Pets and Atticus Claw Breaks the Law. Toto and her friends are due to be looking after the French ambassador on a day of sightseeing, finishing at the Tower of London to see the animal world’s crown jewels: a sacred diamond cat collar. But when they arrive, the collar has disappeared – and what’s...
Climate Action by Georgina Stevens and Katie Rewse - digital pack
The future is in our hands This book by Georgina Stevens explains in detail the different causes and effects of climate change and empowers children and families to think of ways to create change and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Full of inspirational stories of different young climate activists to inspire and galvanize, and beautiful and emotive illustrations by Katie Rewse. In this book, we share the facts, but we also share hope. Learn about the causes of climate change and how it is...
Klara and the Sun and Ishiguro backlist promotional pack
Celebrate the publication of Klara and the Sun, the new book from the Booker and Nobel Prize-winning author, Kazuo Ishiguro. This pack contains: • A selection of digital assets, including a stunning animation and social cards featuring quotes from librarians and readers, for sharing across social media. • A syndicated blog post about the impact Ishiguro’s books have had on librarians and readers across the UK for libraries to add to their own website or blog. • Information on the book. • A...
Celebrating Kazuo Ishiguro: syndicated blog post
Add this syndicated blog post to your website to celebrate the impact Kazuo Ishiguro’s books have had on readers and librarians over the past thirty years. Kazuo Ishiguro’s latest book, Klara and the Sun, is published by Faber on 2 March 2021.
Children of the Benin Kingdom - Reading Notes and Activities
Ada has lived close to the great rainforest for her whole life, helping her beloved Papa Eze to heal fellow villagers when they fall sick. But when Papa Eze himself becomes unwell he knows it s time to reveal to Ada her true heritage – a closely kept secret that has so far protected his daughter from her enemies. Ada must now travel deep into the forest to discover the ancient Edo kingdom of Benin and use everything within her power to heal the terrible divisions that are tearing the kingdom...
Fantastically Great Women: Scientists and Their Stories - Digital Activity Pack and Teachers' Notes
Bloomsbury Children’s Books would love to join you in celebrating International Women’s Day and/or International Science Week with a special offer for libraries nationwide! Prepare to be inspired with this fantastically great new series for young readers by the brilliant Kate Pankhurst. In this first book, read the true stories of amazing scientists and discover things that are out of this world. Women have been responsible for many of the world’s most groundbreaking scientific discoveries....
What Did the Tree See? by Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Sam Usher – Teacher Resource Pack
One majestic oak has seen it all, and now we can too. “Simple rhyming text matched by beautiful and carefully detailed illustrations offer a delightful history lesson” – Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids Told in gentle rhyming verse, this beautiful non-fiction picture book follows the story of an oak tree on a hilltop as it witnesses life changing around it over the course of hundreds of years. From the time when hunters chased deer through the woodland, to when trees were cleared for...
Become a Reading Spy with Maz Evans’s VI SPY: LICENCE TO CHILL – digital activity resources
To celebrate the arrival of Maz Evans’s VI SPY: LICENCE TO CHILL, the new novel from the author of the bestselling WHO LET THE GODS OUT series, we’ve put together a whole host of VI SPY-themed educational materials – and they’re completely free to access! Divorce is tough for any kid. But when – like Vi’s parents – your mum is ex-secret service and your dad is a retired bad guy, ‘till death do us part’ takes on a whole new meaning. And with her parents’ focus on each other, the real...
Oxford Children's Books - Easter themed activity pack
Oxford University Press have created a bundle of Easter themed digital activity sheets containing colouring sheets, arts and crafts, a dress-up doll, a trace and find maze and more! Ballet Bunnies Named as ‘A must for small ballet fans’ by the Guardian, the Ballet Bunnies series is perfectly pitched for newly independent readers and is full of irresistible full colour illustrations by Binny Talib. This enchanting series by Binny Talib follow a girl called Millie as she starts her first Ballet...
Peppa Loves Reading - Digital Activity Pack
Celebrating the launch of the new book, Peppa Loves Reading, Ladybird is pleased to provide an exciting and engaging resource pack for librarians. With everything little ones love including Peppa puzzles, colouring and drawing, the pack will keep little ones happily busy for hours! We would love to see you enjoying the pack on social media, you can share using #PeppaLovesReading and tagging readingagency and ladybirdbooks. We will like and share as much as possible. These photos do not need...
Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie reading guide
Use this reading guide for Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie to compliment your reading group discussion. About Not Quite Nice Sunday Times Bestseller Theresa is desperate for a change. Forced into early retirement, tired of babysitting her bossy daughter’s obnoxious children, she sells her house and moves to a picture-perfect town, just outside Nice. Once the hideaway of artists and writers, Bellevue-Sur-Mer is now home to the odd movie star and, as Theresa discovers, a close-knit set of expats....
Piranesi by Susanne Clarke reading guide
Use this reading guide for Piranesi by Susanne Clarke to compliment your reading group discussion. About Piranesi Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has. In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides which thunder up staircases, the clouds which move in slow procession through the upper halls. On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times...
Bloomsbury's Read, Talk, Share booklist
Bloomsbury has created a booklist for libraries and other organisations participating in The Reading Agency’s Read, Talk, Share campaign. The list can be used by people looking for books tackling loneliness, isolation, mental health issues, and maintaining human connection during lockdown. There are also a number of novels that have been chosen for their transporting and escapist quality. The list contains a mixture of fiction and non-fiction for both adults and children and can be used in a...
Look Out, Leonard! Activity Sheet
It’s moving day for the Shrew family, so Mrs. Shrew has asked them to all hold on to each other’s tails tightly so that nobody gets lost! They set off in a long line, but wait, where’s little Leonard? Download this Look Out, Leonard sheet from DK, featuring a fun maze activity, colouring sheet and tail matching game!
The Forest of Moon and Sword by Amy Raphael and August Ro - Teachers' Resources
One girl’s fierce journey to save her mother from the fate of the witch trials, with only nature to guide her way. 1647, twelve-year-old Art lives in a small village in Scotland. Her mother has always made potions that cure the sick, but now the townspeople say she is a witch. One cloudless night, Art’s mother is arrested and taken to England. Art mounts her horse, taking a sword, a tightrope, and a herbal recipe book, and begins a journey through wild forests, using nature’s signs and...
February 2021 Children's and Young People booklist - Express Yourself (Children's Mental Health Week)
Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is Express Yourself as expressing yourself is about finding ways to share their thoughts or ideas through creativity. We created this ‘Express Yourself’ resource to share 45 brilliant books that will inspire children and young people to express themselves and support discussion around feelings. Contents • Page 1 – Picture...
Proud of Me by Sarah Hagger-Holt - Discussion Questions
An accessible child-centred story about self-acceptance and the importance of opening up to those closest to you. Becky and Josh are almost-twins, with two mums and the same anonymous donor dad. Josh can’t wait until he’s eighteen, the legal age when he can finally contact his donor, and he’ll do anything to find out more - even if it involves lying. Becky can’t stop thinking about her new friend, Carli. Could her feelings for Carli be a sign of something more? Becky and Josh both want...
