Resources
Public Library & Other Stories by Ali Smith - Competition Image for Instagram
Public Library & Other Stories competition image for Instagram In the run up to National Libraries Day, and to celebrate the publication of Public Library and Other Stories by the great and talented Ali Smith, Penguin and The Reading Agency invite you to join in the #MyPublicLibrary competition! The competition Launching on 4 January, simply tweet or Instagram a picture of yourself with a favourite book you discovered at a library using the hashtag #MyPublicLibrary to be in with a chance...
Fireside Fiction Chatterbooks activity pack
Here is our fabulous Fireside Fiction pack for Chatterbooks groups this December. You’ll find really good reads, and really good stories to share out loud. Stories about Christmas and winter; stories to take you far away from the wind and the rain and the cold – to fantasy worlds and adventures; stories which have been shared through generations; stories to curl up by the fire with, and stories to tell each other when you’re gathered round the fireside.
Chatterbooks Information for Schools
An introduction to Chatterbooks clubs for schools – the benefits and how to get involved.
Eva Ibbotson Chatterbooks activity pack
This pack celebrates eight fantastic books by Eva Ibbotson, and one by her son Toby Ibbotson. Full of ghosts, ghouls, ogres and all kinds of magical creatures and monsters! Some are beautiful, some are weird and grotesque, some are horribly scaring, but all of them are in some way are endearing, funny and friendly.
Timelines & Time Travel Chatterbooks activity pack
This special Chatterbooks activity pack features three books published by Quarto Kids full of facts and illustrations covering a wide canvas of events and presenting them in clear and accessible timelines. It is filled with discussion and activity ideas for your Chatterbooks group
Wild Wood library treasure hunt worksheet
The Secrets of the Wild Wood is the gripping, spellbinding story of Sir Tiuri’s quest to find out what lies beneath the mysterious stories about the Wild Wood. This worksheet from Pushkin is a special Wild Wood library treasure hunt! The winners of the Secrets of the Wild Wood library treasure hunt will receive a free copy of the book. For more details download the worksheet.
Where's Wally Colouring Adventure video
Join in the #wallycolouringchallenge with the Where’s Wally Colouring Book, from Walker Books
Making Music Chatterbooks activity pack
This Chatterbooks pack is all about Making Music – with reading and activity ideas for playing, creating and enjoying music in all kinds of ways! It includes stories, poetry and non-fiction titles for you to enjoy with your group, as well as ideas for discussion and for music, dancing and singing activities.
How to Train Your Dragon Chatterbooks activity pack
For twelve exciting years children have been on a rollercoaster ride of adventure with Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, and Toothless the dragon, sharing in the ups and (scary) downs of Hiccup’s many quests. On the way, we meet heroes and villains, and the most amazing array of dragons of all shapes, sizes and skills. Here is a special Chatterbooks pack celebrating all the ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ books.
Cressida Cowell video
An interview with Cressida Cowell, author of the How To Train Your Dragon series
Knitbone Pepper Chatterbooks activity pack
Here’s a pack about a special ghost dog called Knitbone Pepper, his beloved owner Winnie, and his ghostly animal friends. Knitbone Pepper is the first book in a new series by Claire Barker, with illustrations by Ross Collins. Enjoy these Knitbone Pepper discussion ideas and activities with your Chatterbooks group!
Spine-tinglers Chatterbooks activity pack
In this Chatterbooks activity pack there are lots of different books with stories that are scary, absorbing, funny, or fantastic – all of them with something special. Perfect for Halloween.
Middle School Chatterbooks activity pack
Here’s a Chatterbooks pack about the great series of Middle School books – all about the ups and (quite a few) downs in the life of Rafe Khatchadorian. Read all about Rafe’s rollercoaster life as he tackles the challenges of school rules, bullying, summer camp, and much more
Chatterbooks Week 2015: poems
Walker Books kindly provided Chatterbooks groups with eight poems to download for Chatterbooks Week in 2015 to celebrate great reading, great poetry and great fun. All poems are from A Great Big Cuddle, Poems for the Very Young by Michael Rosen & illustrated Chris Riddell. Download and share with your Chatterbooks group!
Barrington Stoke Chatterbooks activity pack
This Chatterbooks activity pack is inspired by Barrington Stoke’s wonderful range of books which help emergent, reluctant and dyslexic readers unlock the power of reading. All children will enjoy the books and activities here but we hope the pack will be especially useful with children with reading difficulties.
Case study - St George's RC School, Coventry
A Chatterbooks group was set up in St Gregory’s RC School in Coventry, to encourage children who were struggling with reading, and the results were positive not only in terms of reading attitudes but in improving confidence levels.
Chatterbooks Riddle Activity
A riddle activity for Chatterbooks Week, from author Lari Don, one of our Chatterbooks champions! Perfect for Chatterbooks Week, which has the theme of poetry.
Chatterbooks in South Tyneside
A Chatterbooks group called Reading Champions has been set up in Central Library, South Shields, South Tyneside. The group is made up of a group of twelve children from Marine Park school in South Shields who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge.
Chatterbooks flyer
Use this A5 flyer to promote the benefits of running Chatterbooks clubs.
Chatterbooks and The Children's University
Chatterbooks activities are validated for inclusion with the Children’s University. Children aged 5-12 who attend weekly Chatterbooks sessions can count up to five hours of time in their Children’s University Passports.
Quick Ideas for ice-breakers
These ideas have been tried by Chatterbooks group leaders in schools and libraries. There are lots of ice-breaker activities you can choose but these are all related to books and authors. Often children may not arrive all at the same time so it can be useful to have an activity going that everyone can join in with as they arrive.
Quick Ideas for creative activities
These ideas have been tried by Chatterbooks group leaders in schools and libraries and work with almost any theme or collection of books. They require very few resources and allow children freedom to design and create in response to books they have read or listened to.
Quick Ideas for drama activities
These ideas have been tried by Chatterbooks group leaders in schools and libraries and work with almost any theme so why not give them a try!
Top Tips for setting up a Chatterbooks club in your school
This top tips guide will walk you through the main steps of how to set up a Chatterbooks club in your school
Chatterbooks and Arts Award
You can use Chatterbooks activities with children aged 5 and above to help them achieve Arts Award Discover and Arts Award Explore.
Chatterbooks - Programme planning template
Use this template to plan your Chatterbooks sessions. You will probably be able to fit in at least 10 sessions in a term.
Chatterbooks - Book Discussion Guide
Use this quick guide to help you support children to discuss, review and recommend books
Chatterbooks Session Planning Template
Use this handy sheet to plan your Chatterbooks session and ensure you have everything you need to hand.
Chatterbooks Session Register
Use this register template to record attendance at your Chatterbooks club
Chatterbooks certificate - landscape version
To reward your Chatterbooks club members as part of your final celebration session
