Resources
The Amazing Mr Blunden family activity pack
Inspired by the 1972 motion picture of the same name and adapted from Antonia Barber’s children’s fantasy novel The Ghosts, The Amazing Mr Blunden is a new Sky original made especially for Christmas! The Amazing Mr Blunden will be available on Christmas Eve at 7pm on Sky Max and streaming service NOW. This free activity pack includes a quiz, discussion questions and fun festive activities for families to use while they watch along!
Bruno's Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales digital assets
Digital assets for libraries and other organisations to promote Bruno’s Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales by Martin Walker on social media.
Extract of The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Find a reading group guide here. Find out about Between the Covers.
Extract of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Read an exclusive extract of the novel here. Find out about Between the Covers.
Clifford the Big Red Dog family activity pack
Clifford the Big Red Dog, based on the much-loved children’s books by Norman Bridwell, will be released in UK cinemas on 10 December 2021. This fun activity pack has lots of ways to learn more about the film and its lovable canine lead, including games, a quiz, a colour-in picture and even a recipe for tasty dog biscuits and top tips for keeping your dog safe in the winter!
Nature's Treasures by Ben Hoare - digital pack (including videos)
Wherever you are in the world there are natural treasures to be found. Our planet is filled with curious objects made by plants, animals and even by the Earth itself. All you need to do is look carefully and you can find treasures in the most unexpected places – even in towns and cities. Ben Hoare is passionate about nature and in Nature’s Treasures he has collected 100 intriguing items and reveals the fascinating stories behind them. Find out how bristly mouths help huge whales capture tiny...
The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon - digital and photo poster
In December 2021, Simon & Schuster is publishing this beautifully illustrated children’s book which explores the fascinating relationship between humans and animals: from bees who pollinate our food to chimpanzees who share more than 90% of our DNA. It is perfect for children who are wild about animals! If you would like a free A3 poster of this book please email ChildrensBooks@simonandschuster.co.uk with the subject line A3 poster for 100 Animals, the number of posters you’d like and...
The Reading Agency's Books of the Year! Children & Young People
At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and get through those challenging lockdown months. Members of our team have picked the children’s book that stood out to them and shared a few words on why they loved it. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Tell us on social media by tagging @readingagency and using #BooksOfTheYear.
The Reading Agency's Books of the Year! Adult
At The Reading Agency, we have read a lot of brilliant books over the past year; books that have made us laugh, cry and get through those challenging lockdown months. Members of our team have picked the book that stood out to them and shared a few words on why they loved it. We hope you find some inspiration for your next read, or perhaps spot a few titles you have enjoyed yourself! Tell us on social media by tagging @readingagency and using #BooksOfTheYear.
Extract of Still Life by Sarah Winman
Still Life by Sarah Winman is one of the novels featured on series 3 of BBC Two’s Between the Covers. Read an exclusive extract of the novel here. Find out about Between the Covers.
Reading Friends resource pack: The Imperfect Art of Caring
This free resource pack for The Imperfect Art of Caring by Jessica Ryn has been designed for Reading Friends projects. It contains an extract from the book and discussion questions intended to support conversations and reflections on personal experiences and stories. About the book Violet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She’s friendly but doesn’t have many real friends. She’s become good at keeping people at a distance...
The Night the Moon Went Missing by Brendan Kearney - digital pack
DK are over the moon that The Night the Moon Went Missing has been selected as the Children’s Indie Book of the Month for November and we want to celebrate this with libraries and schools across the UK. Meet Moon and a little girl, Lucy, in this enchanting picture book that teaches young children about the importance of the Moon. With colourful illustrations by the super-talented Brendan Kearney, The Night the Moon Went Missing will inspire and captivate young readers. Its touching and...
The Night the Moon Went Missing by Brendan Kearney - author video
DK are over the moon that The Night the Moon Went Missing has been selected as the Children’s Indie Book of the Month for November and we want to celebrate this with libraries and schools across the UK. Meet Moon and a little girl, Lucy, in this enchanting picture book that teaches young children about the importance of the Moon. With colourful illustrations by the super-talented Brendan Kearney, The Night the Moon Went Missing will inspire and captivate young readers. Its touching and...
Fireborn by Aisling Fowler - Teaching Resources
Set in the snowy northern forests of an imagined prehistoric world, Fireborn is the middle-grade debut of the decade. At turns exciting, funny and heart wrenchingly sad, it marks the introduction of an unstoppable new voice in children’s storytelling. Twelve has spoken the Pledge and now she is a Huntling. She has given up her name to train in the art of fighting monsters and keeping the peace, and she won’t get to choose a new one until she has earned it. But when the Lodge’s walls are...
Genie and Teeny: Wishful Thinking by Steven Lenton - digital pack
The second in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator, Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and the Times Children’s Book of the Week. Grant the Genie is happy living in the real world in a teapot with his best friend, the dog ,Teeny. But keeping a genie a secret on Earth is harder than they’d both thought – especially when Grant wants to go to school with Teeny’s owner, Tilly. Then Grant accidentally gives three wishes to the school’s bully and...
The Prince of the Skies A3 Poster
From the bestselling author of The Librarian of Auschwitz, Antonio Iturbe, comes a captivating historical novel based on a true story – the extraordinary life and mysterious death of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince. Here is a downloadable A3 poster.
The Prince of the Skies Reading Group Questions
From the bestselling author of The Librarian of Auschwitz, Antonio Iturbe, comes a captivating historical novel based on a true story – the extraordinary life and mysterious death of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince. Here are some downloadable questions for reading groups.
Booker Prize 2021 shortlist reading group guides
If you’re reading any of the Booker Prize 2021 shortlisted titles, these reading guides will help to spark discussion and get you thinking.
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie - Book Club Kit
Oneworld have created a Book Club Kit for His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. His Only Wife is a captivating debut and a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Pick! ‘Vivid, witty and utterly absorbing.’ Daily Mail In one of the most talked about and hilarious debuts of the year, Afi Tekple, a bright young seamstress from a small town in Ghana, is convinced by her family to marry a man she has never met. The fact that she doesn’t know Elikem seems a small price to pay for a marriage that offers her...
The Burpee Bears by Joe Wicks and Paul Howard - digital pack
Meet the Burpee Bears in this glorious picture book created by “the Nation’s Favourite PE Teacher”, Joe Wicks! For this bear family, every day is a new day: a day for adventure and discovery, and true to Joe’s ethos, each book will feature a fun and positive story with added exercises and recipes – perfect for families to share and enjoy together! The Burpee Bears is the first book in the series and is infused with Joe’s signature sense of fun. Join the bears as they explore the everyday ups...
Clementine Florentine by Tasha Harrison - activity pack
Clementine Florentine is an illustrated comedy for 8-12 year olds with a strong female protagonist who has a talent for poetry and a passion for Custard Creams. In an ingenious reverse ‘Parent Trap’, Clementine and her school nemesis Callum, have to work together to break Clem’s dad and Callum’s mum up, before they fall ‘in lurrrvee’ and the two poetry rivals end up step brother and sister! However, an unlikely friendship with ageing punk icon Lyn Ferno and her chatty pet parrot Viv, helps...
Mr. Men Little Miss and Winnie-the-Pooh - digital pack
Join in on Farshore’s unmissable anniversary celebrations for two of the best loved and most celebrated children’s brands, marking 50 years of the Mr. Men Little Miss and 95 years of Winnie-the-Pooh. Help celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s anniversary with Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear, the Official 95th Anniversary Prequel. We all have a place in our hearts for the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, as told by A.A.Milne in Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. In honour of the 95th...
Anisha, Accidental Detective: Show Stoppers by Serena Patel - Diwali Gift box activity
Anisha Accidental Detective is back with her latest HILARIOUS detective case. It’s nearly Diwali, and Anisha’s whole family are causing even more chaos than usual. And to add to the stress, her class only have one week to put on a musical about Albert Einstein and everything is going wrong. Is Miss Jive being overly superstitious, or is it sabotage?! Time for Anisha, Accidental Detective to step into the spotlight. Create your own Diwali Gift box with Anisha, Accidental Detective You will...
The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery - digital resources (Teachers' Notes and Discussion Guide)
Step into a world of faerie tricks and hidden danger… When an evil faerie steals Yanni’s baby sister and swaps her for a Changeling, Yanni is swept into a dangerous race against time to get her back. For faeries delight in tricks and rescuing her won’t be easy. With the help of his cousin, Amy, and the reluctant Changeling, Yanni must travel to goblin palaces and battle-swept oceans, discovering ancient treasures and secrets along the way. Yanni will need every drop of courage and even a few...
The Boy With Wings by Lenny Henry and Kennon Ferrell - Digital Resources (including comic activity)!
Let Your Imagination Fly: The Boy With Wings Macmillan Children’s Books are excited to introduce The Boy With Wings, the new children’s book by comedy legend, Lenny Henry for readers of 9 to 12. Illustrated throughout by Keenon Ferrell, it includes an exclusive comic book adventure illustrated by Mark Buckingham. More about the book Twelve-year-old Tunde is just your average kid: average friends, average parents, average grades. Sure, he has his quirks, but if he can avoid the school bullies...
November Booklist for Adults: Noteworthy Non-fiction
From the interviews with famous people about love in all its forms, to the experiences of a GP during the Covid pandemic, to the history of The Beatles, our list of noteworthy non-fiction has something for everyone.
November Booklist for Children & Young People - Noteworthy Non-fiction
National Non-fiction November is the month to celebrate factual children’s books, from shocking science to incredible histories. Discover a range of titles for early readers through to young adults and encourage them to open a book and their minds!
A History of the World in 25 Cities – digital activity pack and competition!
From the walled city of ancient Jericho to the modern-day metropolis of Tokyo, explore the world with this stunningly illustrated book of extraordinary city maps! Co-authored by award-winning children’s authors Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin in consultation with specialist curators at the British Museum, readers can visit cities from every inhabited continent on Earth. Featuring vibrant, beautifully detailed artwork from Libby VanderPloeg, each carefully researched map takes readers on a...
RISE by Maliha Abidi: competition resources
This pack contains an PDF sampler of the book RISE by Maliha Abidi and a promotional poster for a competition inspired by the book. RISE celebrates the inspirational stories of 100 remarkable women of colour. From the entrepreneur with a homemade marmalade business who went on to found Women’s World Banking, to the first Black female astronaut, these trailblazers have risen above challenges to reach dizzying heights. For the competition, we ask entrants to submit a written profile or artwork...
Adult October Booklist: Perfect Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Day on 7 October 2021 – and every day! – with this fantastic selection of poetry collections, anthologies and song lyrics.
