Resources
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...
Bloomsbury announces changes to Harry Potter Book Night 2021
In light of UK restrictions and school closures, Bloomsbury announces changes to Harry Potter Book Night 2021. • Physical events along with key Bloomsbury digital activity to move to Thursday 24th June 2021 • Bloomsbury to provide free digital activities for teachers and classes seeking Harry Potter activity in February • J.K. Rowling continues open licence for online school readings of Harry Potter books 1–7 • 2021 Harry Potter Book Night kit to remain available for any UK or international...
The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell - Resource pack for KS2 Teachers
“I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways.” Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing’s island. At first, the girls are too angry to share their secrets and become friends. But when the tide breathes the promise of treasure, they must journey together to the bottom of the ocean to brave the deadliest shark of them all… Dive beneath the waves with this...
January 2021 Children's and Young People booklist - Something New
As we enter a new year and find ourselves in lockdown, we wanted the first booklist of the year for children and young people to focus on books that we hope will inspire them to learn a new skill, support them during this hard time or have characters who they can escape into an adventure with. We hope there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can join in with the conversation online using #SomethingNewBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on...
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse activity
Lovers of children’s classics are in for a treat with the new film Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse, and we have a fun activity resource for families to use to accompany their discussions. Roald and Beatrix, which aired on Sky on Christmas Eve, is based on the true story of an unlikely meeting between two of Britain’s most beloved children’s authors, one dealing with the pressures of success and aging, the other a child learning to navigate grief and loss in a confusing...
Hope Jones Will Not Eat Meat by Josh Lacey - activity sheets
Hope Jones Will Not Eat Meat by Josh Lacey is the latest book in an inspiring new illustrated fiction series about environmental issues, perfect for readers aged 8+. The books are told in a fun blog format, documenting Hope’s activism as she tries to save the planet, showing that you’re never too young to make a big difference. Hope Jones has tackled plastic pollution and now she’s on a mission to save the animals, stop climate change and persuade everyone she knows to turn vegetarian. But...
December 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Winter Wonderland
As we head into the grey and cold, we thought that we would share some great books set during the Winter or set in beautiful winter wonderlands. We have some classics, lovely illustrated stories and some thrilling page-turners. You can join in with the conversation online using #WinterWonderlandBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
Promotional digital assets for MI9 by Dr Helen Fry
Download social media assets, including shareable cards with information on the book and an author video to promote MI9 by Dr Helen Fry in your library. You can also find an extract from the book about the invention of ‘Q-gadgets’, popularised by James Bond, here “A fitting tribute to the hundreds of men and women who risked their lives in assisting Allied escapees.”—Giles Milton, Sunday Times When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped...
There’s a Mouse in My House by Ross Collins - Competition & Digital Activity Pack
The sequel to Ross Collins’ award-winning favourite, There’s a Bear on My Chair, is here! The tables have turned in There’s a Mouse in My House… and this time it’s Bear who has an unwelcome guest. This fantastic rhyming picture book will get all the family giggling! Nosy Crow is offering a downloadable activity pack including: - Downloadable activity sheets – spot the difference and word match - Downloadable event/competition poster and social media assets - Downloadable drawing competition...
The Witching Stone by Danny Weston - Digital Pack
UCLan Publishing have created a spooktacular digital pack of videos and discussion points to help you and your pupils enjoy the new YA coming of age horror story from Danny Weston. For Alfie Travers, a summer away from his now ex-girlfriend can not come quick enough, even if it means tagging along on his dad’s dull work trip to the village of Woodplumpton, Preston. Shortly after arrival, Alfie strolls off to see what the place has to offer. Not much, it seems… until he chances upon a girl...
December 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Books of the Year
It’s been another year of fantastic books and we’re delighted to present our Books of the Year list for 2020 for children and young people. Our staff have chosen their top recommendations of new books from the year. You can join in with the conversation online using #BooksOfTheYear and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook. You can borrow these books from your library or buy a copy for yourself from Bookshop.org.
Gender Swapped Fairy Tales - Lesson Plan
Once upon a time, in the middle of winter, a King sat at a window and sewed. As he sewed and gazed out onto the landscape, he pricked his finger with the needle, and three drops of blood fell onto the snow outside. People have been telling fairy tales to their children for hundreds of years. And for almost as long, people have been rewriting those fairy tales – to help their children imagine a world where they are the heroes. Karrie and Jon were reading their child these stories when they hit...
Honey for You, Honey for Me – Rhymetime digital event pack
Walker Books have created a fantastic digital pack to help you enjoy and share a new rhyming picture book written and illustrated by the incredible duo, Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell! From Children’s Laureates Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell, the bestselling team behind A Great Big Cuddle, comes a first book of nursery rhymes. Flying pigs, wobbling plates of jelly and a giant with a terrible fear of mice: welcome to the topsy-turvy world of nursery rhymes. Inspired by his lifelong...
Celebrating 25 years of Guess How Much I Love You - digital Storytime pack
Celebrating 25 years of Guess How Much I Love You Sometimes when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not always an easy thing to measure! Since it’s publication in 1994 children and parents worldwide have cherished the heartwarming tale of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare so much that Sam McBratney’s timeless story, beautifully illustrated by Anita...
Football Superstars - Teachers' Notes, activity sheets and poster
Football Superstars is a series aimed at building a love of reading from a young age, with fun cartoons, inspirational stories, a simple narrative style and a cast of characters chipping in with quotes, jokes and comments. Football Superstars: Ronaldo Rules, Messi Rules, Kane Rules, Mbappé Rules. A brand new visual series of first biographies for ages 5-7 featuring male and female football stars. Perfect to engage emerging readers, especially reluctant readers. Quotable stats and expert tips...
The History of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain by Dr Hakim Adi - Teachers' Notes
Newly updated, The History of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain explores why people came to Britain, the problems they faced and the contributions these communities have made to British society. Brought to life with case studies and rarely published photographs, this is an opportunity to get up close to the experiences and vital impact African and Caribbean people have had in Britain. Meet pioneers such as Olaudah Equiano and Phyllis Wheatley and find out why African and Caribbean...
The Ickabog – Activities & Competition Pack
Meet the Ickabog! Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world’s best storytellers, J.K. Rowling. Download a free Monster Competition Starter Pack to run your very own illustration competition in the classroom! Activity Sheets are also available to download for free, packed full of activities to encourage children ages 7+ to get creative.
November 2020 Children's and Young People booklist - Non-fiction
For Non-Fiction November, we have created a list filled with the best non-fiction for children and young people. There are memoirs, essay collections and books with great advice. You can join in with the conversation online using #NonFictionBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
