Home for Grace by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean
A little girl and her mum befriend a homeless woman called Grace. They share gifts with her; she shares stories with them. Sometimes they eat soup together. Grace tells them how she had to ‘leave her home and cross the sea’. A story to celebrate kindness and connection.
When the Storks Came Home by Isabella Tree and Alexandra Finkeldey
Beanie loves birds. She finds out that storks used to live near her but were hunted to extinction. She and her neighbours hatch a plan to bring them back. Based on a real project, a book to inspire budding environmentalists.
Ruth’s Blog: S-A-L-E-S: Strategies to increase children’s love of reading
There is considerable research on the strategies advertisers use to persuade people to buy things. We’ll look at some of the common persuasive strategies that work on us and consider whether we might use similar ones to encourage children to read. We’ll use the acronym SALES to guide us through five suggested strategies. S is […]
Ruth’s Blog: How to build the best book corners at Key Stage 1
Bang for our book In building the best book corner, focus on the things that will make the biggest difference. Imagine you have a clean slate, an empty classroom. Let’s get bang for our book. Do the things that will truly make a difference and stop doing the things that will not. Every book that […]
Ruth’s Blog: Understanding the impact of book banding on children’s love of reading
Decodable books Decodable books are necessary for children who are learning to read because they should read books that match the sounds they already know. To make steady, confident progress in decoding, they need to build cumulatively and systematically on their earlier learning. Decodable books, therefore, are specifically organised to match the order of the […]
Ruth’s Blog: Live the story
As a teacher, in the days when we listened to individual children read, I’d often say, ‘Try to put a bit of expression in your voice.’ But, in fact, what I wanted was for the child to bring the story alive through their reading, to show me that they understood it. If we want children […]
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
Ada’s head is full of questions; why, what, how and when? ‘How does a nose know there’s something to smell? And does it still stink if there’s no nose to tell?’
This fabulous rhyming story is perfect for Year 1+ to inspire curiosity and perseverance in young, would-be scientists. Follow your passion; and your nose!
The Family Tree by Kate Ferdinand
Amongst magical forest families, live Ash, Willow and their dad. Dad introduces them to a new person. The children like her but also miss their mum. What will bring this blended family together? As they bake, they get to know one another and their home starts to glow with love and magic.
Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith
A boy and his mum share memories of when they lived with dad in a faraway place. Some are very beautiful; lying on a blue blanket in the sun. Some more painful; a scary rainstorm and leaving their home. They begin to make new memories together. Lyrical and stunningly illustrated for Year 1+.
Everything Changes by Clare Helen Walsh and Asa Gillard
Mummy and daddy can’t live together anymore; it’s confusing and worrying. The family build a new life, do different things and talk about what it feels like.
‘Sometimes grown-ups separate, but parents are forever’. What keeps them together even if they are apart? Love.