Resources
Nothing to See Here Competition
The Nothing To See Here Hotel is the best secret holiday destination for mysterious and legendary beings. All manner of magical creatures stay at this hotel; from bridge bothering trolls to wrinkly old mermaids! Competition Do you want to win all three books and the chance to have your creature drawn by Steven Lenton, illustrator of the Nothing to See Here Hotel series? All you have to do is design a new creature to come and visit the Nothing to See Here Hotel! You can find out more and read...
How to Rob a Bank by Tom Mitchell - Teaching Notes
Some people rob banks because they’re greedy. Others enjoy the adrenalin rush. Me? I robbed a bank because of guilt. Specifically: guilt and a Nepalese scented candle… When fifteen-year-old Dylan accidentally burns down the house of the girl he’s trying to impress, he feels that only a bold gesture can make it up to her. A gesture like robbing a bank to pay for her new home. Only an unwanted Saturday job, a tyrannical bank manager, and his unfinished history homework lie between Dylan and the...
She Wolf by Dan Smith - Teachers' Notes
Northumbria, 866. Washed ashore on a frozen English beach, Ylva’s survived. She will not cry. She’s meant to be strong. She’s a Viking. But when her mother dies at the hand of a three-fingered man, and the wolves of the forest circle closer, Ylva will need more than the memory of her mother’s stories to stay alive. Can she shape her own legend? Will it end in revenge – or is there another way? If you have an Authorfy subscription, you can also check out Dan’s She Wolf masterclass – Dan has...
Amateur - Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title Amateur by Thomas Page McBee by clicking below.
The Trauma Cleaner Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 18 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein by clicking below.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh by clicking below.
Murmur Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title Murmur by Will Eaves by clicking below.
Mind on Fire Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title Mind on Fire by Arnold Thomas Fanning by clicking below.
Heart: A History Readers' Guide
On Tuesday 19 March the Wellcome Book Prize announced the shortlist of six books for the 2019 prize. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the prize rewards exceptional works of literature that illuminate the many ways that health, medicine and illness touch our lives. Discover the excellent books that have been chosen for the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist. You can download a Readers’ Guide for shortlisted title Heart: A History by Sandeep Jauhar by clicking below.
All The World's a Stage - booklist
Some of the most loved stories have been adapted for the stage—either as plays or musicals. Some you may know, but others might surprise you! We’ve collected some of our favourite books that have been adapted for the stage.
The Boy Who Flew by Fleur Hitchcock - Resource pack
About the book Athan Wilde dreams of flight. When his friend, Mr Chen, is murdered, Athan must rescue the flying machine they were building together and stop it falling into the wrong hands. But keeping the machine safe puts his family in terrible danger. What will Athan choose – flight or family? From the acclaimed author of Murder In Midwinter, Fleur Hitchcock’s The Boy Who Flew is a thrilling, murderous tale set among the steep rooftops and slippery characters of Athan’s intricately...
Hugs and Kisses by Sam Hay and Emma Dodd - Activity Pack
There are two sides to every story… Flip the book to read each side of the story in this enchanting tale of a whale and an octopus on their search for love, ending with a huge pop-up surprise. Big Blue Whale is feeing small. Everyone has someone to hug except from him! On his journey to find the perfect hug he meets lots of sea creatures who want to hug him including a kind clown fish and a sea horse with a very swirly, whirly tail. But he’s just too big for them to hug! On the other...
The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis - Reading Notes
The Closest Thing to Flying Present day: Semira doesn’t know where to call home. She and her mother came to England when she was four years old, brought across the desert and the sea by a man who has complete control. Always moving on, always afraid of being caught, she longs for freedom. 1891: Hen knows exactly where to call home. Her stifling mother makes sure of that. But her Aunt Kitty is opening her eyes to a whole new world. A world of animal rights, and votes for women, and...
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Event pack and Teachers' Notes
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Celebrate 30 wonderful years of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt the much-loved family favourite. For thirty years, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning favourite. Michael Rosen brings the story to life for a whole new generation of readers, why not sing along with your copy at home? What’s included in the pack? An A4 poster, Storytelling pack, Activity Pack and Teachers’ Notes. Click on the link under...
The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods - Teaching Resources
The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods Resource Pack for KS2 Teachers This is the story of a sleepy town called Suds. A place where stories fill the air of children turning grey and disappearing without a trace. Poppy and Erasmus are certain there’s something peculiar going on in Suds, and they’re determined to unravel its secrets. But when they discover the answers might lie in the dark and twisting woods, can they find the courage to creep inside and solve this riddling mystery? Introducing...
Circle by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett - a book trailer
This book trailer is about Circle. This book trailer is also about Circle’s friends Triangle and Square. When they all play hide-and-seek, Circle makes a rule. But when Triangle breaks that rule, Circle has to rescue him… You can find out more on the Walker Books website.
International Women's Day 2019
This International Women’s Day we have come up with a list of twelve books that we hope express a small section of the enormous range of challenges faced by women across the world in the 21st century. Let us know your recommendations on social media.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - activity pack
This year The Gruffalo is turning 20! To help you celebrate this anniversary and the bestselling phenomenon by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Macmillan Children’s Books have created 20 brilliant activity sheets. Macmillan would love to see how you use the activity pack and you can do this by using #Gruffalo20 and tagging @MacmillanKidsUK and @readingagency.
All the World's a Stage Chatterbooks pack
On the 27 March is World Theatre Day and to celebrate we have created a Chatterbooks pack with six of our favourite children’s books which were then adapted into a theatre production. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page.
March 2019 Children's booklist - All The World's a Stage
On the 27 March is World Theatre Day and to celebrate we have created a children’s booklist of our favourite books which were then adapted into theatre productions. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page. We’ve also created a Chatterbooks pack which focuses on six brilliant books from the booklist that can be used as part of a Chatterbooks session.
Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura - Story Play Notes
About the book Meet Hattie the Magician – she may be little but she is a born performer! Hattie conjures an amazing succession of animals out of her hat, and for a grand finale produces a wonderful habitat where they can all live! The guide This guide for sharing Hat Tricks provides parents and practitioners of young children with 6 games and activities to develop not just a love of books and being read to but also to support the key features of the Early years foundation stage framework.
Dave Pigeon 4 by Swapna Haddow - a competition
Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper are taking in the sights of London. Whilst pecking around the gates of the Royal Palace, looking for high-brow snacks to feast on, they meet Prince Raju Pigeon, one of the Queen’s personal birds from the Royal Lofts. Raju is tired of royal life and longs to see life beyond the palace gates. Dave suggests they swap places for a short while! Raju will get to see how normal pigeon lives and Dave will be pampered in the Royal Lofts. Of course, this...
A Street Through Time by Steve Noon and DK - a competition
DK are updating our classic book A Street Through Time, and as part of this they want to know what children think a street will look like in 2070! DK are inviting you to have your child or class draw and write about the street of the future. To help inspire them they have some things they may want to think about: - Transport - Buildings - Clothes - Home To say thank you for these ideas they will enter you into a competition to win £50 of DK children’s books! You can find out more information...
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Storyime pack
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along with its sequel, Handa’s Hen, has sold over one million copies in more than twenty countries nationwide and has been named one of the best culturally diverse children’s books of all time. Now available in a luxurious 25th anniversary...
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Teacher Notes
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along with its sequel, Handa’s Hen, has sold over one million copies in more than twenty countries nationwide and has been named one of the best culturally diverse children’s books of all time. Now available in a luxurious 25th anniversary...
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne - Event poster and activity sheets
For 25 years, Eileen Browne’s beautiful modern classic Handa’s Surprise has delighted the very youngest of readers who long to tell Handa what is happening right behind her. Brimming with mouth-watering fruit and wild animals, this picture book favourite, along with its sequel, Handa’s Hen, has sold over one million copies in more than twenty countries nationwide and has been named one of the best culturally diverse children’s books of all time. Now available in a luxurious 25th anniversary...
The Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler - a KS2 Resource Pack
Hachette Children’s Group have created a fantastic Resource Pack based around The Emily Windsnap series. It’s time to dive deep into a world beneath the waves: a magical world of mermaids, fun, friendship and adventure. This Resource Pack is designed to get children aged 9–11 thinking about the features of a fantastical adventure story, with a mythical creature at its heart. It is based on the bestselling Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler. Bubbling with new heights of adventure and...
Book to Film Adaptions
In the spirit of the Oscars, here are some of our favourite books that have been made into movies. From from sci-fi to thrillers, and weepy dramas to clever true stories – can the film ever be better than the book?
Lasting Letters
Valentine’s Day got us thinking about love letters, and how many incredible books there are that feature letters. We’ve put together a selection of books about letters, featuring letters, and even written as one long letter.
Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith - a video
Bear Moves Bear’s in a dancing mood, and his friend Bunny is happy to help out with the boom box. With moves like Furry Breaking, Running Bear (you run but don’t go anywhere), and the classic back spin, who could blame observers who might want to bust a move of their own? Actor/rapper Ben Bailey Smith (aka Doc Brown) and artist Sav Akyuz team up again for a lively two-step with the multitalented Bear. Find out more here.
