Resources
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...
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...
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.
Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding - activity pack
Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding is the third book in the Mr Darcy series. Each character has been taken from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In this series each lovable character is given the appropriate animal manifestation to reflect their personality. Mr Darcy is a duck, Bingley a horse, Caroline Bingley a cow and Maria Lucas, a mouse. In this book Mr Collins is introduced. He is a cat. Mr Darcy loves making his famous Christmas pudding. But what happens when Mr Collins drops by...
Have a Matt-gical Christmas with Matt Haig and Chris Mould - activity and POS pack
Canongate are here to help you have a Matt-gical Christmas! Discover the wonderful Christmas series by number one bestselling author Matt Haig, featuring enchanting illustrations from Chris Mould. Journey into Elfhelm and you’ll find out the TRUTH about Father Christmas and join Amelia Wishart on a magical mission to save Christmas from the jealous Easter Bunny… Matt’s fantastic festive trilogy is now available in paperback and rather excitingly, has now been joined by a new, sweet rhyming...
Books of the Year 2018
In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s almost Christmas! That means it’s also time for us to pick out our favourite books of 2018. Our staff have chosen a huge variety of titles, from love stories to Brexit satires to a graphic novel. We hope there’s something that will interest you on our list.
Winter Wonderland Chatterbooks Activity Pack
With the nights drawing in there’s no better time to curl up with a good book! In this Winter Wonderland Chatterbooks activity pack you’ll find some great suggestions for books for your group to explore, read and enjoy this winter season. From new festive favourites to fantastical adventures through worlds of ice and snow, you’ll find a range of stories to keep out the winter chill. We hope you enjoy them, together with all the discussion and activity ideas, and further reading suggestions.
The Reading Agency Books of the Year - Young People booklist
Our books of 2018 – Young People Every year, the staff at The Reading Agency enjoy picking and sharing our favourite books for children and young people. We have three different booklists of the books we have loved the most from 2018: picture and illustrated books, books for children at primary school and for young people aged 13+. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Reading Hack blog page. You can share your picks of the year and join in with our conversations online...
The Reading Agency Books of the Year - Middle Grade books booklist
Our books of 2018 – Middle Grade Every year, the staff at The Reading Agency enjoy picking and sharing our favourite books for children and young people. We have three different booklists of the books we have loved the most from 2018: picture and illustrated books, books for children at primary school and for young people aged 13+. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page. You can share your picks of the year and join in with our...
Santa Claus vs The Easter Bunny by Fred Blunt - An activity pack and competition
Who will win, Santa or The Easter Bunny? Get a peek behind the scenes and find out how the holidays really happen in Fred Blunt’s brilliant new picture book Santa Claus VS The Easter Bunny! The book follows what happens when the Easter Bunny, resentful that Santa has the easier job, devises a devious plot to get even. To celebrate the release of this wonderfully bonkers new picture book, Andersen Press have creted some great activities for you to enjoy with your child, Chatterbooks group,...
The Reading Agency Books of the Year - Picture and Illustrated books booklist
Our books of 2018 – Picture and Illustrated Books Every year, the staff at The Reading Agency enjoy picking and sharing our favourite books for children and young people. We have three different booklists of the books we have loved the most from 2018: picture and illustrated books, books for children at primary school and for young people aged 13+. You can find out more about some of our picks on the Summer Reading Challenge news page. You can share your picks of the year and join in...
Reading is magic poster
Discover a love of reading with these top tips from Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of the popular How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once books.
Cressida Cowell's top tips for parents
Help your child discover the magic of reading with this handy one-page guide from the award-winning children’s author.
ROGO 2018 Best practice guide
The Read On. Get On. (ROGO) coalition has created this best practice guide to help primary schools address the gender gap in children’s reading enjoyment. The guide has been developed in response to the findings of the ROGO Index 2018.
ROGO Index 2018
The ROGO Index 2018 provides a holistic view of how well 11-year-olds in England are reading. Download this document for a comprehensive breakdown of children’s cognitive reading skills, affective processes and reading behaviours
Winnie and Wilbur: The Santa Surprise - Gingerbread biscuit recipe
Winnie and Wilbur As they get ready for Christmas Winnie and Wilbur go an epic quest to make sure Santa gets a present, too. A brand new story in a fabulous gift format with stylish limited palette illustrations, this is the perfect Christmas purchase for Winnie and Wilbur fans who are ready to move on to a longer story. Part of the bestselling series that celebrates the wonderful relationship shared by Winnie and her cat, Wilbur. Since 1987 they have been delighting children and adults all...
Isadora Moon Makes Winter Magic by Harriet Muncaster - activity ideas
Isadora Moon Makes Winter Magic Isadora Moon is special because she’s different. Her mum is a fairy and her dad is a vampire and she’s a bit of both. Isadora loves playing in the snow, especially when her creations come to life! But snow magic can’t last forever. Will she be able to save her new friends before they melt away? And that’s not all! This beautiful gift edition is also bursting with magical activities and things to make and do, providing hours of fun with...
Lucy's Search for Little Star by Anne Booth - activity sheet
Lucy’s Search for Little Star Lucy is on holiday with her family when she meets a curious little kitten called Star. He’s a tiny little thing and he follows her everywhere. Christmas is drawing near and the snow begins to fall thick and fast. When Star, and then Lucy, find themselves in serious trouble-lost in a snow storm-Lucy’s magic snow globe is their only hope. Close your eyes and make a wish-miracles can happen. This warm and festive story is an ideal present for a...
Super Frozen Magic Forest by Matty Long - A colouring sheet
Frozen Magic Forest Super Happy Magic Forest is a prize-winning series for budding fantasy fans. In this latest title, winter is coming – and the residents of the forest do not like it one little bit. The snow is too cold, the ice is too slippery, and the frost is destroying their prize winning gardens. Five brave heroes (a unicorn, a mushroom, a faun, a fairy, and a gnome) must travel to the Frozen North to overthrow the Snow Queen and save the forest. But will they be able to outwit...
Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes? by Holly Bourne - downloadable kindness resources
Spread the kindness virus with your own Prime Numbers group inspired by Holly Bourne’s latest release, Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes? “I think about prime numbers. How they don’t bend and shape themselves just so they can divide nicely into the world. They stand strong and unmalleable and refuse to have a pattern to them. They are snowflakes and the rest of the numbers are lemmings.” Do you ever wish your life could be different? Calmer? Happier? That maybe the world could be a...
