Resources
The New Wilderness - Readers' Guide
In July 2020 the Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title The New Wilderness by Diane Cook by clicking below.
International Dot Day - Special Event Packs
Celebrate International Dot Day on 15th-ish September! International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009. Now, every 15-ish September, more than 10 million teachers, librarians, and children in 170 countries participate in International Dot Day, making their mark by getting busy with writing, drawing, painting, or other creative outlets and...
September 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Back to School Books
Starting back at school can be an anxious time for lots of children and young people, let alone after the Covid-19 lockdown. To help support this transition, we have created a booklist of stories where characters face issues that some students may worry about and books that can give some helpful advice. You can join in with the conversation online using #BackToSchoolBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook. Our Reading Well team have...
#HarperFictionReadingWeekend digital assets for libraries
Summer holidays across the country have been cancelled, but HarperFiction wants library users to celebrate the August bank holiday by taking part in the #HarperFictionReadingWeekend! We’d love for libraries to share some of HarperFiction’s beautiful social media assets encouraging users to borrow one of their summer read top picks this weekend. The assets are suitable for use across Twitter and Facebook and can be downloaded via the link below. The summer reads top picks list...
YA Booklist - Reading Hack Recommendations
If you’re a fan of YA lit or are looking for books to engage young people, check out our latest YA reading recommendations, all chosen by young adults. See what our reviewers thought of each title over on the Reading Hack blog Download this resource for a list of print and eBook ISBNs.
Reading group guide for For When I'm Gone by Rebecca Ley
Sylvia knows that she’s running out of time. Very soon, she will exist only in the memories of those who loved her most and the pieces of her life she’s left behind. So she begins to write her husband a handbook for when she’s gone, somewhere to capture the small moments of ordinary, precious happiness in their married lives. But Sylvia also has a secret, one that she’s saved until the very last pages. And it’s a moment in her past that could change...
How to draw Mossy the Fox with David Roberts
David Roberts, illustrator of Julian Clary’s Bolds books, shows us how he draws Mossy the fox. The Bold family seems fairly normal: they live in a nice house, the parents have good jobs, and they all love to have fun. One slight difference: they’re hyenas. That’s right—they’re covered in fur, have tails tucked into their clothes, and really, really like to laugh. For years, the Bolds have kept their true identities under wraps. But now the neighbors are getting...
Molly Mischief: My Perfect Pet
Molly Mischief: My Perfect Pet by Adam Hargreaves is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This resource includes fun colouring sheets and puzzles to enjoy. Visit the Pavilion website for more great titles and resources.
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green - activity pack
They’re Alligators – and Investigators! InvestiGators written and illustrated by John Patrick Green is the new full colour, laugh-out-loud series perfect for emerging readers and fans of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man. Mango and Brash are the InvestiGators: sewer-loving agents of S.U.I.T. and scourge of supervillains everywhere! With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on...
Bug Belly Creator Study
Bug Belly: Babysitting Trouble by Paul Morton is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This resource includes a special look into Paul Morton’s process for writing and illustrating Bug Belly. Featuring fun facts and behind-the-scenes sketches, it’s ideal for inspiring young creators. Visit the Five Quills website for more great titles and resources.
Wonderful Non-fiction Chatterbooks Pack
In this Chatterbooks activity pack you’ll find some great suggestions for wonderful non-fiction books to explore, read and enjoy together. Inspired by Merry the Giraffe from the Summer Reading Challenge’s Silly Squad, this pack will focus on her favourite things, learning cool things from non-fiction books. We hope you enjoy the books as well as the discussion and activity ideas, and further reading suggestions. We hope you enjoy the books as well as the discussion and activity ideas, and...
How reading can promote writing for pleasure article
We believe that through reading a wide variety of books and texts, children can improve their vocabulary and grow more confident with their own writing ability. To help you with this, we have collated a host of resources and useful websites that you can use with your students for their creative writing. Find more resources on our School Zone.
When Secrets Set Sail – Blue Plaque Project
When Secrets Set Sail is the breathtaking new adventure from award-winning author Sita Brahmachari. Set in London, adoptive sisters Usha and Imtiaz must race to uncover the secrets of their family’s past, in order to save their home. In the story, Usha and Imtiaz discover that their house has an incredible history and was home to some very interesting people. Inspired by their adventure, why not research the history of your house, street or local area and see what you can discover? Download...
Mermaid School - Telling Tails writing activity
Marnie Blue’s class at Lady Sealia Foam’s Mermaid School are holding a cake sale to raise money for their school trip to the Mermaid Lagoon castle. Aunt Christabel says she’ll help Marnie, Pearl and Orla to bake some special treats to sell. On a new sheet of paper write a story about what happens.
Mermaid School - Create your own radio station activity sheet
In the Mermaid School books, Christabel Blue is a very successful DJ, with her own Big Blue Show on Radio SeaWave. In the activity sheet children can imagine they have their own show on mermaid radio. Filled with fabulous fishy fun, the Mermaid School series is perfect for fans of Unicorn Academy and Dork Diaries!
Reading guide for Victoria Hislop's THE ISLAND
A reading guide for Victoria Hislop’s multi-million copy seller, THE ISLAND. Find out how to win 10 copies of The Island for your reading group (offer closes 7 September)
August 2020 - Comics, graphic novels and illustrated books booklists for children and young people
This month our booklist features comics, graphic novels and illustrated books that we think will draw children and young people into the story. We love comics, graphic novels and books that have beautiful illustrations, as well as being fun they can be important to a child’s reading journey. You can join in with the conversation online using #DrawInBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
Keith Among the Pigeons Activity Pack
Keith Among the Pigeons by Katie Brosnan is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This Keith Among the Pigeons pack includes a cat and pigeon masks, colouring sheets, puzzles and more activities to enjoy at home, in the library, or at school. Find out more about this title on the Summer Reading Challenge website. Visit the Child’s Play website for more great titles and resources.
Tricks and Jokes Chatterbooks Activity Pack
In this Chatterbooks activity pack you’ll find some great suggestions for funny books to explore, read and enjoy together. Inspired by Lily the Frog from the Summer Reading Challenge’s Silly Squad, this pack will focus on her favourite things, jokes and tricks. We hope you enjoy the books as well as the discussion and activity ideas, and further reading suggestions.
The importance of comics, graphic novels and illustrated books article
Like Bamboozle the Panda from the Silly Squad, we love comics, graphic novels and books that have beautiful illustrations. As well as being fun they can be really important to a child’s reading journey. We also share useful sites and great resources. Find more resources on our School Zone and Summer Reading Challenge resources.
Dog Diaries Activity Sheets
Dog Diaries: Mission Impawsible by Steven Butler and James Patterson, with illustrations by Richard Watson, is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! This Dog Diaries activity pack includes wordsearches, puzzles, spot the difference and more! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website. Visit the Penguin website for more great titles and features.
Kevin's Great Escape: Comic Making Tips
Learn everything you need to know to make your own comics with these tips from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website. Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Max
Keep Kevin company by learning to draw his best friend, Max, with a step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Daisy
Learn how to draw Max’s goth sister, Daisy (aka Elvira!) with a step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Learn to draw Kevin
Sketch a roly-poly flying pony of your own with this step-by-step guide from Sarah McIntyre. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Create a legendary pet drawing activity
Kevin is an ABSOLUTE LEGEND. Have a go at creating your own legendary pet! Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Ordinary Legend Quiz
Take Reeve and McIntyre’s quiz to find out what kind of legend YOU are! Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Kevin's Great Escape: Cardigan Faun Colouring Sheet
Design some fabulous knitwear for the super-stylish Cardigan Faun. Kevin’s Great Escape: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is a Summer Reading Challenge 2020 recommended read! Find out more on the Summer Reading Challenge website. Visit the Oxford Children’s Books website for more great titles and resources.
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies by Tom Percival - Chapter 2 Discussion Notes
Meet the Dream Team! Turning nightmares into incredible adventures! Erika’s had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams. She finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies – and to make matters worse, she’s being hunted by a terrifying Angermare! Enter the Dream Team! Can they help Erika overcome her worries and get home, or will she be trapped forever? Attack of the Heebie Jeebies is the first in a fun and engaging colour...
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies by Tom Percival - Chapter 1 Discussion Notes
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies is the first in a fun and engaging series from Tom Percival, the Carnegie nominated author and illustrator. This series explores anxiety in children through action and adventure. Erika’s had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams and she finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies – and to make matters worse, she’s being hunted by a terrifying Angermare! Enter the Dream Team! Can they help...
