Resources
Peaks and Troughs by Nick Perry - discussion questions
We have some discussion questions for your reading group about Peaks and Troughs by Nick Perry. Peaks and Troughs is the story of a naïve young man who is initiated into adulthood through the harsh reality of having to survive in the material world. Despite the hardships, he never loses his belief that there is an alternative way to farm that is sympathetic to the earth and the animals in his care. His neighbours never take him seriously and try to undermine his efforts as he struggles...
The Zoo by Isobel Charman - discussion questions
We have some discussion questions for your reading group about non-fiction book The Zoo by Isobel Charman. The creation of a zoo in Dickensian London – the first ‘zoo’ in history – is a story of jaw-dropping audacity. It is the story of trailblazing scientists, rival keepers and aristocratic naturalists collecting amazing animals from all around the world – and sending them to what was dubbed ‘the ark’ by the mocking press. Telling this almost unbelievable true story, Isobel Charman depicts a...
The Zoo by Isobel Charman - read an extract
We have an exclusive extract for you to read from non-fiction book The Zoo by Isobel Charman. The creation of a zoo in Dickensian London – the first ‘zoo’ in history – is a story of jaw-dropping audacity. It is the story of trailblazing scientists, rival keepers and aristocratic naturalists collecting amazing animals from all around the world – and sending them to what was dubbed ‘the ark’ by the mocking press. Telling this almost unbelievable true story, Isobel Charman depicts a highly...
Chatterbooks Newsletter
The latest Chatterbooks Newsletter. This November newsletter celebrates National Non-Fiction November.
Pamela Butchart activity pack
This Chatterbooks activity pack celebrates eight hilarious books from author Pamela Butchart and publisher Nosy Crow. Meet Pugly, the pug with great ideas who is ready for (almost!) anything; and Peri (aka Petunia Perry), Cammy, their band the Spoons, and the wonderful cat, Margaret. And in the Baby Aliens series you’ll find Izzy, Zack, Jodie and Maisie, and the hilarious situations they get into – inspired by their boundless imaginations!
StoryWorlds Nature drawing competition
Encourage your Chatterbooks group to draw their own animal story to celebrate National Non-Fiction November this month. The best entry will win a bundle of 360 Degree books from publisher Little Tiger and a colour chancing bag from Squid London. Simply download the competition flier and send back to the Reading Agency by 9 December.
Behind the scenes of 'Children Just Like Me'
In this behind the scenes video, non-fiction book designer Fiona and editor Sam explain how books get made at DK and share some special moments from the making of Children Just Like Me
National Non-Fiction November - DK booklist
Enjoy these great titles from DK – part of National Non-Fiction November’s 100 Brilliant Non-Fiction Books for Children and Young People
National Non-Fiction November poster
Celebrate National Non-Fiction November with this poster featuring 100 brilliant non-fiction titles for children and young people
Wonderful Non-Fiction - Chatterbooks Activity Pack
This Chatterbooks activity pack gives you a treasure chest of wonderful non-fiction titles from our Children’s Reading Partners publisher partners, plus lots of ideas for activities and discussion with your Chatterbooks groups. Enjoy these bright and vibrant books, full of fascinating information – and celebrate this year’s National Non-Fiction November!
Get to know the Dewey Decimal Classification system
A brief PowerPoint slide show to help you understand how the Dewey Decimal Classification system works in your library
The Falcon Chronicles Activity Pack
Download this fact-filled pack based on Steve Backshall’s series The Falcon Chronicles. This resource contains animal fact files, word puzzles, activity sheets and more!
Middle School video trailer
Watch the latest trailer for James Patterson’s Middle School series
Wonderful Non-Fiction - Chatterbooks Booklist
Enjoy this great selection of information books on all kinds of subjects.
King Flashypants and the Evil Emperor Competition sheet
Competition for children. Draw an arch enemy below for your chance to win £50 worth of book tokens for you and £100 pounds worth of books for your library! Don’t forget to give them a name and a Kingdom…
Gordon's Brilliant Balloon Activities
Celebrate the release of Gordon’s Great Escape, the new book by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet, with this brilliant balloon activity kit!
Thorfinn The Nicest Viking activity sheets
Download these fun Thorfinn The Nicest Viking activity sheets for your Chatterbooks group, including colouring sheets, secret codes and finding our your viking name!
A First Book of Animals poems
To celebrate National Poetry Day we have five wonderful animal poems from A First Book of Animals by Nicola Davies, beautifully illustrated by Petr Horacek (Walker Books). This book is filled with wonderful animals and poems, including beetles, koalas and flamingos – share them with your Chatterbooks group today!
Little Gems Chatterbooks activity pack
This pack is all about Little Gems – the series of books from publisher Barrington Stoke especially for children aged 5 to 8 years of age. Little Gems are lovely books written by favourite authors. They are high quality stories presented in an attractive chunky format. Unique accessibility features support all early readers on their journey to reading independence, and cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.
We Found A Hat Activity Sheets
This kit for Jon Klassen enthusiasts everywhere features all your favorite hat-obsessed, shifty-eyed animals in fun activities, from drawing to mazes.
Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton Book Trailer
From the multi-award winning picture book maker of A Bit Lost, Oh No, George! And Shh! We Have a Plan, comes a stunningly illustrated bedtime book, perfect for sending toddlers off to dreamland. With Chris’ signature block colour design, we are introduced to bears, deer, rabbits and teeny, tiny mice – who are all beginning to feel really … rather … tired … YAWN!
Chatterbooks Week Press Release Template
This pack is designed to help you promote your Chatterbooks Week activities locally. It includes a press release template and a social media guide.
Chatterbooks Week Social Media Card
We’ve teamed up with Walker Books to create a social media card for Chatterbooks Week. Print out this card and share the book that made you a “Child of Books” on social media.
How-To: Run a reverse book club
The Crisis Skylight and World Book Night Book Club, run by The Reading Agency, meets once a week in London. The book club runs in a ‘reverse’ format, with no member expected to have read the book before coming to the group. It aims to offer different entry-points into the book for members to begin their journey of literary discovery. The ultimate goal of the book club is that it is welcoming and accessible to all of Crisis’s clients, no matter their reading level. Members are able to drop in...
Chatterbooks Week Activity Pack
This is a Chatterbooks Activity Pack to celebrate Chatterbooks Week which takes place from 1-8 October 2016. The theme of this pack is illustration and In this pack you’ll find lots of ideas for your group’s activities and discussion,
Chatterbooks Week Book List
To celebrate Chatterbooks Week (1-8 Oct) here are some recent books from our Children’s Reading Partners publisher partners, showing a range of inspiring approaches to illustration – in picture books, and also in illustrated fiction and non-fiction.
Banned Books Week 2016
To celebrate Banned Books Week this month, download this list of notable banned books from Islington Libraries. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries in the US. Since then, according to the American Library Association, more than 11,300 books have been challenged. Islington Library and Heritage Services, along with the British Library and Free Word, are celebrating Banned Books week and...
We Found a Hat book trailer
Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . . Hold on to your hats for this video from Walker Books introducing We Found a Hat, the conclusion of the celebrated hat trilogy by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen
Child of Books Chatterbooks Pack
A Child of Books is a beautiful picture book by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston that celebrates a love of stories and exploring the imagination.This Chatterbooks activity pack brings you discussion and activity ideas for your reading groups, inspired by A Child of Books.
An Introduction to A Child of Books with Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
In this video from Walker books, Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston discuss their new book, A Child of Books. I am a Child of Books. I come from a world of stories, And upon my imagination, I float. In this inspiring, lyrical tale about the rewards of reading and sharing stories, a little girl sails her raft “across a sea of words” to arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her on an adventure. Guided by his new friend, the boy unlocks his imagination and a...
