Resources
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 riding...
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 Downloads below to get...
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.
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 all goes...
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.
Kiss the Crocodile by Sean Taylor - a video
Kiss the Crocodile Down in the jungle, three best friends – Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater – are playing silly games together. After Stick Splash, Scary Monsters and Silly Dancing, they spy Little Crocodile and his big crocodile mum in the swamp. Do they want to play a new game, Little Crocodile asks … a DARING game. KISS THE CROCODILE! Who will be brave enough to steal a peck from the ‘sleeping’ croc, with his big tail, pointy teeth and sharp claws? MWAH! Brimming over with the thrill of...
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - performance by Michael Rosen
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? Find out more “here”: http://www.jointhebearhunt.com.
Letters, Diaries and Memoirs Chatterbooks Pack
In this Chatterbooks activity pack you’ll find some great suggestions for books for your group to explore, read and enjoy together. From secret diaries to tales told through letters and emails, you’ll find a range of stories in the form of memoirs, journals and epistolary fiction. We hope you enjoy them, together with all the discussion and activity ideas, and further reading suggestions. We have also created a Letters Diaries and Memoirs booklist that features a wider selection of books...
February 2019 Children's booklist - letters, diaries and memoirs
Letters, Diaries and Memoirs This month we have loved picking our favourite picture and illustrated and middle grade books which are either written in letter or diary form or are memoirs. We have also selected six books for this theme perfect for young people (aged 12+) which is on our Reading Hack resource page. 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...
Get Coding 2! by David Whitney and Duncan Beedie - Get Coding Pack
Are you ready to get coding? Want to take your coding further and learn how to programme popular games such as Snake and Endless Runners? Then join the Lucky Cat Club in Get Coding 2! by David Whitney and Duncan Beedie, a fun guide covering essential coding concepts and an ideal introduction to programming. To celebrate the launch of Get Coding 2!, Walker Books are delighted to offer downloadable free packs with everything you need to host your very own Get Coding! Club takeover with a...
Girl With a Pearl Earring Book Club Questions
Johannes Vermeer can spot exceptional beauty. When servant girl Griet catches his eye, she soon becomes both student and muse. But then he gives her his wife’s pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a scandal erupts that could threaten Griet’s future. Twenty years on Girl With a Pearl Earring remains as vivid and captivating as ever. A timeless modern classic and an international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold around the world; Harper Collins are publishing a special...
Epic Tales Chatterbooks Activity Pack
Epic Tales is an activity pack filled with some recent and enjoyable stories inspired by myths and legends. There are books with dragons, monsters, beasts and lots of creatures that children will love learning more about. Each of the six selected books have some discussion questions and activity suggestions that work perfectly with small groups either at home, in school or at the library. We hope you enjoy them, together with all the discussion and activity ideas, and further reading...
January 2019 Children's booklist - Epic Tales (myths and legends)
Epic Tales This month we are thinking about our modern retellings of myths and legends. We have picked some of the best books to help get children and young people interested or inspired in these classical stories. We have selected six Epic Tales for young people (aged 12+) which is on our Reading Hack resource page. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page. There is also a Chatterbooks pack based upon this booklist.
Tall Tales
This month, we’re bringing you myths, fairy tales and legends, but not as you know them. These retellings and adaptations of familiar stories will transport you to worlds near and far.
The Language of Kindness Reading Group Guide
Christie Watson was a nurse for twenty years. Taking us from birth to death and from A&E to the mortuary, The Language of Kindness is an astounding account of a profession defined by acts of care, compassion and kindness. This is a reading group guide including questions, discussion points and further reading.
International Migrants Day Booklist
International Migrants Day is commemorated on 18 December to highlight the human rights of migrants and make migrants’ voices heard. We’ve selected some books about migrants and migration to observe the day.
Santa's High-Tech Christmas - activity pack
Santa has discovered high-tech gear. With his techno-pad, a soft reclining seat in his sleigh and a rocket pack, he is well prepared to deliver presents for Christmas Day. But as things start to go wrong, Santa needs the help of a young girl to ensure all the presents get delivered on time.
A Christmas Surprise - activity pack
On the first day in December Marigold Mouse receives a surprise gift. She can’t wait to share her excitement with her best friend Marvin. Mark Carthew’s evocative verse expresses the spirit of the festive season and Simon Prescott’s illustrations bring to life the magic of Christmas.
