Resources
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale - Event Kit
The Princess in Black Who says princesses can’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black. The first in a funny, action-packed series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when… Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats!...
The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson - Extract
In 1627 Barbary pirates raided the coast of Iceland and abducted some 400 of its people, including 250 from a tiny island off the mainland. Among the captives sold into slavery in Algiers were the island pastor, his wife and their three children. Although the raid itself is well documented, little is known about what happened to the women and children afterwards. It was a time when women everywhere were largely silent. In this brilliant reimagining, Sally Magnusson gives a voice to Ásta, the...
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell - Extract
Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband’s crumbling country estate, The Bridge. With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband’s awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. For inside her new home lies a locked room and beyond its door is a two-hundred-year-old diary and a deeply unsettling painted wooden figure – a Silent Companion – that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie...
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell - Reading Group Guide
Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband’s crumbling country estate, The Bridge. With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband’s awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. For inside her new home lies a locked room and beyond its door is a two-hundred-year-old diary and a deeply unsettling painted wooden figure – a Silent Companion – that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie...
Hot, hot, hot!
When it’s hot outside, sometimes you need a book to match how you feel. Here are some of our favourite books that are perfect for a heatwave.
LGBT History Month
For LGBT History Month, we’ve selected some fantastic books for everyone to read.
Royal Society Young People's Book Prize - Chatterbooks Activity Pack
The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize aims to inspire young people to read about science and promotes the writing of excellent, accessible books for under-14s. We have created a Chatterbooks Pack featuring this year’s brilliant shortlisted titles. There are plenty of activities to keep your group interested and engaged with science themed books.
Books to Make You Laugh and Cry #NRGD18
To celebrate National Reading Group Day 2018, we asked reading groups to share the books that made them laugh, cry, or both. We know that books that cause an emotional reaction are the ones that stay with you, so take a look and see what you think! Have you read any of the books on the list? What other titles would you have included? Let us know online using #NRGD18. To download the list, click the link below.
Dr Ben Garrod - So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs activity pack
So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs? Biologist and TV scientist Ben Garrod has written a fun, funny, informative and collectible series about dinosaurs. The series will be launching with T. Rex, Diplodocus and Tricearatops. To celebrate this new series, Head of Zeus have created a fantastic activity pack to help get children even more excited about dinosaurs and reading. Did you know that not all dinosaurs are green and scaly, some are ginger and feathered, or that they didn’t all roar,...
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
Reading group questions for The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth.
Tropical Terry by Jarvis - a book trailer
Terry wants to stand out. But, in Coral Reef City, it’s sometimes better to blend in… Coral Reef City is home to the most dazzling shoals of tropical fish in ALL the ocean. And then there is Terry. Terry looks grey. Terry feels dull. And although he is the best at playing “Hide A Fish”, he can’t help but wonder: Just what would it feel like to be part of that dashing, flashing crew? So, with the help of his friends, he fashions a flashy costume and is ready to...
The Songs by Charles Elton Reading Group Guide
A Reading Group Guide to the new novel from the bestselling author of Mr Toppit, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.
Happily Ever After: The Little Mermaid by Alex Fields - Teacher's Notes
A little mermaid must say goodbye to her sea legs if she is to be with her prince. Owen Swan’s ethereal illustrations recreate life and beauty under the sea. AGE: 4-8 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author “here”: https://www.newfrontier.com.au/books/happily-ever-after-the-little-mermaid.
DK Football Book - Poster (Digital)
DK presents three books all about football, telling you everything you need to know in preparation for the 2018 World Cup. To help you celebrate, this poster has been created to display.
DK Star Wars Maker Lab – Activity Sheet
Ever wanted to move things without touching them like a Jedi can? Or grow your own kyber crystal? Or maybe explode a balloon with a beam of energy, just like the Death Star? Now you can! With 20 amazing projects, Star Wars™ Maker Lab teaches your budding Padawan how to become a Master of science, in both the real world and the Star Wars galaxy. Using clear step-by-step instructions, the book guides home scientists and makers through each exciting experiment-from making Jabba’s...
Big Bones by Laura Dockrill - Live out loud: Secondary School resources packs and competition
This resource pack is based on Big Bones, a vibrant and bold teen novel from writer and performance poet Laura Dockrill. It is a coming-of-age story about self-appreciation, body-confidence and learning how to love yourself and others – and it will help young people to not only explore societal pressures around body image, but also to champion their own unique individuality. The activities in this pack are an enticing introduction to the themes in Laura’s book, but they also serve as a mini...
Children's University
Find out how children can earn Children’s University hours by taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge and Chatterbooks groups.
RHS I Can Grow a Sunflower - Sunflower colouring sheet
“This is a wonderful first gardening book for young children that perfectly captures the magic of growing a beautiful plant from a tiny seed.” Jamie Butterworth, RHS Ambassador A delightful introduction to plant life and nature, as little ones get hands-on to grow their own sunflowers. Includes sunflower seeds, a sunflower height chart, and exciting flaps. RHS I Can Grow a Sunflower is a friendly approach to plant science and a great gift for little gardeners. Sixteen bright board...
City vs. Country
Do you prefer being in the city or the countryside? We’ve selected some of our favourite books about urban and rural spaces.
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
A Reading Group Guide for The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya. About The Girl Who Smiled Beads “The plot provided by the universe was filled with starvation, war and rape. I would not—could not—live in that tale.” Clemantine Wamariya was six years old when her mother and father began to speak in whispers, when neighbors began to disappear, and when she heard the loud, ugly sounds her brother said were thunder. In 1994, she and her fifteen-year-old sister, Claire, fled the Rwandan...
The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant - The Great Library Orienteering Challenge
The Children of Castle Rock ‘There would be at least two betrayals, a few lies and a couple of near-death experiences before they could really call themselves friends’ Alice Mistlethwaite has been packed off to an unusual boarding school in Scotland. Everyone is talking about the Great Orienteering Challenge, where students are sent off, unsupervised, for three days! Alice sees her chance… She just needs to persuade her teammates, rule-abiding Jesse and mischief-maker Fergus, to follow...
My Sister by Joanna Young - Teacher's Notes
My Sister This stunning picture book shows the special relationship that exists between two sisters. Soft, beautiful illustrations and simple text make this the perfect bedtime read. AGE : 2 – 6 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author here.
How Many Dinosaurs Deep? by Ben Kitchin and Vicky Fieldhouse - Teacher's Notes
How Many Dinosaurs Deep? Jim is not quite sure that he’s ready to move from the baby pool to the middle-sized pool. Can a group of splashing, sploshing dinosaurs help him face his fear? AGE : 3 – 6 years Download the Teacher’s Notes for some excellent guidance on how you and your group can get the most out of this new book. You can find out more about the book and author here.
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald - Event Day digital resources pack
Judy Moody Another day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest-best, in this laugh-a-minute first adventure in the international bestselling series. Bad moods, good moods, even back-to-school moods – Judy has them all! Meet Judy Moody, her little “bother” Stink, her best friend Rocky and her “pest” friend Frank Pearl. Judy has a mood for every occasion, but when a new teacher gives the class a “Me” collage project, Judy has so much fun that she...
Frankenstein in Baghdad - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi, translated by Jonathan Wright is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Frankenstein in Baghdad. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Like a Fading Shadow - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Like a Fading Shadow by Antonio Muñoz Molina, translated by Camilo A. Ramirez is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Like a Fading Shadow. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
The World Goes On - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. The World Goes On by László Krasznahorkai, translated by John Batki, Ottilie Mulzet & George Szirtes is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as The World Goes On.
The White Book - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. The White Book by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as The White Book. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Flights - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Flights by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Flights. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
Vernon Subutex 1 - themed reading list
The Man Booker International Prize celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world. Vernon Subutex 1 by Virginie Despentes, translated by Frank Wynne, is one of the six shortlisted titles for 2018. All of the suggested books follow similar themes, styles or settings as Vernon Subutex 1. You can download the supporting booklist by clicking below.
