Resources
Red Dog - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title Red Dog by Willem Anker, translated by Michel Heyns by clicking below.
Mac and His Problem - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title Mac and His Problem by Enrique Vila-Matas, translated by Margaret Jull Costa and Sophie Hughes by clicking below.
Little Eyes - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell by clicking below.
Hurricane Season - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor, translated by Sophie Hughes by clicking below.
Faces on the Tip of My Tongue - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title Faces on the Tip of My Tongue by Emmanuelle Pagano, translated by Sophie Lewis and Jennifer Higgins by clicking below.
The Eighth Life - Readers' Guide
On 27 February the International Booker Prize revealed the longlist for the 2020 prize. You can download a Readers’ Guide for longlisted title The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili, translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin by clicking below.
Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession - Discussion Questions
Leonard and Hungry Paul are two friends who see the world differently. They use humour, board games and silence to steer their way through the maelstrom that is the 21st century. ‘The figure in Munch’s painting isn’t actually screaming!’ Hungry Paul said. ‘Really, are you sure?’ Replied Leonard. ‘Absolutely. That’s the whole thing. The figure is actually closing his ears to block out a scream. Isn’t that amazing? A painting can be so misunderstood and still become so famous.’ Leonard and...
Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession - First Chapter
Leonard and Hungry Paul are two friends who see the world differently. They use humour, board games and silence to steer their way through the maelstrom that is the 21st century. ‘The figure in Munch’s painting isn’t actually screaming!’ Hungry Paul said. ‘Really, are you sure?’ Replied Leonard. ‘Absolutely. That’s the whole thing. The figure is actually closing his ears to block out a scream. Isn’t that amazing? A painting can be so misunderstood and still become so famous.’ Leonard and...
Golden Child by Claire Adam - First Chapter
It’s dark now; the bats are out. Insects knock against the light on the patio and the dog sits at the gate. A boy has not returned home and a family anxiously awaits. A father steps out into the night to search for his son. As the hours turn into days, this man will learn many things. He will learn about being a father to twin boys who are in no way alike. He will learn how dangerous hopes and dreams can be. He will learn truths about Trinidad, about his family, and himself. He will question...
Dear Earth - letter writing activity
Little Tiger Press are highlighting the fragility and wonder of our world with their brilliant Dear Earth campaign, which offers a fantastic way to link together picture book aged readers and this year’s Earth Day on 22 April. They would love for for you to get involved this spring and are encouraging young readers to compose their own ‘Dear Earth’ letter or picture for library displays or to take home. Download the blank ‘Dear Earth’ letter template. We would love to see the letter on social...
Covid-19 Toolkit to Stay Connected
We know many of our partners have had to close their buildings and are working remotely. We want to share our resources and ideas that will help us all stay connected.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - celebrating 30 years
We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. Will you come too? We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the classic chant-aloud by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, started a publishing phenomenon 30 years ago with readers swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning picture book favourite. Now with special 30th anniversary paperback and board book editions, this modern picture book classic can be enjoyed by a whole new generation of readers. Walker Books have...
All the World's a Stage Chatterbooks pack
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 have provided inspiration for theatre productions. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page.
There’s a Rang-tan in My Bedroom - supporting resources and activity sheets
Teach children about the plight of the orangutan and the dangers of deforestation in, There’s a Rang-tan in My Bedroom, the timely and beautiful picture book by James Sellick and Frann Preston-Gannon. Hachette Children’s Group have got lots of excellent resources that will help you plan KS1 and KS2 lessons and assemblies, which you can download from hachetteschools.co.uk/rangtan. About the book: When a little girl discovers a mischievous orangutan on the loose in her bedroom, she can’t...
Freddie's Amazing Bakery - recipes and activities
Freddie Bonbon is sweet by name and sweet by nature. He’s also THE BEST baker in Belville and always around to lend a hand too. Stories that are full of fun with gorgeous illustrations throughout, Freddie is a likeable and positive character who promotes the idea that you don’t need superpowers or magic to succeed – you just need to try hard and do your best.
Lenny Makes a Wish - Reading Notes
When Lenny the rabbit spots a lonely fish in a pond, they soon become friends. But will their friendship survive, when Lenny lives on land and his friend lives in water? A heart-warming story about the enduring power of friendship.
Attack of the Smart Speakers - Reading Notes
There’s a new craze in town for smart speakers and everyone has got one. At first they seem super helpful, but Tyler and her friends soon start to get suspicious. It’s like these virtual assistants are really the ones in control-but no-one else seems to notice. It’s not long before the assistants become mobile, attaching limbs so that they can crawl around like weird spider robots. Spiders are bad enough, but robot spiders trying to enslave humanity? That’s a problem that need to be squished,...
Would You Like a Banana? - Activity Sheet
Award-winning illustrator Yasmeen Ismail’s delightfully funny picture book featuring a very stubborn gorilla will have the whole family laughing! Gorilla is hungry but there is absolutely no way he’s going to eat a banana. Not even a teeny taste. Not with some bread or standing on his head. Even if you eat one too, which is something you might do. This brilliant and hilarious picture book from award-winning illustrator Yasmeen Ismail will have everyone laughing at this all-too familiar family...
The Threads of Magic - Teachers' Notes
An atmospheric and riveting fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Cornelia Funke. Pip lives on his wits in the city of Clarel. When he pickpockets the wrong man, he finds himself in possession of a strange object – a heart in a silver casket. What’s more, the heart seems to be trying to communicate with Pip, and the royal officials who lost it will stop at nothing to get it back. Pip has unwittingly broken an ancient spell, and his theft will have far-reaching...
Not an Alphabet Book: The Case of the Missing Cake - Activity Sheets
A graphic, bright, imaginative alphabet book, with a smart and laugh-out-loud whodunit twist. This was meant to be a simple alphabet book but something has happened. Something horrible. The most terrible crime! The world’s most completely delicious, tongue-jinglingly, chocolaty cake has been … STOLEN! As Bear travels from A to Z, visiting all sorts of characters, objects and extraordinary places along the way, can YOU help him search for the culprit? But, wait! Are those crumbs on Bear’s...
Alex Rider 20th Anniversary - Activity Sheets
CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING SERIES! Encourage pupils to become READING SPIES and to take their writing to the next level with the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz – suitable for children ages 9+. The pack is aimed at developing descriptive and creative writing at KS2/3, including exploring different genres, writing strong lead characters, devising mission files, developing settings, and creating pacey stories.
Bunnies on the Bus by Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle - Activity Pack
Watch out! Move out of the way! Hold onto your tails! There are … BUNNIES ON THE BUS! And they aren’t stopping for ANYONE! The bunnies have taken over the bus and they’re on a wild ride across the streets of Sunnytown! They whizz past the bus stop, swerve around corners and zoom over crossings on a non-stop roller coaster adventure! There are bunnies on the roof! Bunnies in the aisle! DO sit down, bunnies, or you’ll end up in a pile! Eventually, they come to a stop … at the train station. And...
Bunnies on the Bus by Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle - Storytelling Kit
Watch out! Move out of the way! Hold onto your tails! There are … BUNNIES ON THE BUS! And they aren’t stopping for ANYONE! The bunnies have taken over the bus and they’re on a wild ride across the streets of Sunnytown! They whizz past the bus stop, swerve around corners and zoom over crossings on a non-stop roller coaster adventure! There are bunnies on the roof! Bunnies in the aisle! DO sit down, bunnies, or you’ll end up in a pile! Eventually, they come to a stop … at the train station. And...
Michael Rosen introduces The Missing - Author Video and Teachers' Notes
A personal, powerful and resonant account of the Holocaust by one of this country’s best-loved children’s authors. By turns charming, shocking and heart-breaking, this is the true story of Michael Rosen’s search for his relatives who “went missing” during the Second World War – told through prose, poetry, maps and pictures. When Michael was growing up, stories often hung in the air about his great-uncles: one was a clock-mender and the other a dentist. They were there before the war, his dad...
February 2018 children's and young people booklist - Wonder Women *reshare*
February 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 and to celebrate this we have created a list of some of our favourite books about inspirational women. The Representation of the People Act of 1918 granted the vote to certain women over the age of 30 – the first time women could vote! You can join in with the conversation online using #WonderWomenBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
March 2020 Children's and young people booklist - STREAM (British Science Week)
British Science Week takes place between 6-15 March 2020 – and to celebrate this we have created a themed booklist based on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) topics. To help children learn more about STREAM topics, our list has a fun mix of picture books, suggestions for children in Key Stage 2 and books for young people (13+). You can join in with the conversation online using #STREAMBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and...
The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott - discussion guide and author video
If everything was taken from you, what would you do to get it back? Agatha patrols the sea wall with pride, despite those in her clan who question her right to be there, because of the condition she was born with. Jaime is a reluctant Angler, full of self-doubt and afraid of the sea. When disaster strikes, the pair must embark on a terrifying journey to a land where forgotten magic and dark secrets lurk in every shadow… Thrilling and dark, yet rich with humour and compassion, this novel marks...
Climate Change booklist
This month we’re travelling to alternative worlds, and worlds that don’t seem too different from our own with our climate change booklist. Full of fiction and non-fiction, this list will get you thinking about how you can make a positive impact on the world.
February 2020 Children's and young people booklist - Climate Change
The theme for our booklist this month are books based on climate change. To help children get a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change and this list has picture books, suggestions for children in Key Stage 2 and books for young people (13+). You can join in with the conversation online using #ClimateChangeBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
Reading Guide for Jane Austen's Emma
Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless “queen bee” without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along. Please find a Reading Resources for...
