SEND Strategies for the Primary Years: Practical ideas and expert advice to use pre-diagnosis

Written by Georgina Durrant I have a personal interest in the subject of SEND in primary school. I work very closely with some SEND children and currently one of the children I’m working with is a year 2 boy. He has an amazing mind and is absolutely brilliant at numbers but he struggles with phonics/reading. … Continue reading SEND Strategies for the Primary Years: Practical ideas and expert advice to use pre-diagnosis →

Shorter Chapter Books for Older Children

Not every child likes reading long books so with this in mind I’ve been looking at a few shorter chapter books for older children. Future Hero #1 - 4 Written by Remi Blackwood Future Hero is an exciting new fast-paced fantasy adventure featuring a young Black hero in an Afro-futurist fantasy world, Ulfrika. Jarell, an … Continue reading Shorter Chapter Books for Older Children →

YA Titles to enjoy this Summer 2024 (Part One)

Goddess Crown Written by Shade Lapite I was so excited when this book arrived and I just couldn’t wait to dive in. But first I had to marvel at the beautiful cover, the gold and blue was so eye catching In this thrilling Afro-fantasy, the first set in the lush, opulent kingdom of Galla, a … Continue reading YA Titles to enjoy this Summer 2024 (Part One) →

Too Many Moose!

Written by Kathy Sherman Illustrated by Torey Butner Published by Tiny Tree When I choose a book to read to the children at school I am finding more and more that the book needs to link in their education. An example of this could be that a year group is learning about a particular topic … Continue reading Too Many Moose! →

Middle Grade Must Reads – August 2024 (Part Two)

Small! Written by Hannah Moffatt As soon as I saw this cover I knew that this book was going to be fun. Harvey is a small boy in a giant world. On stilts! When Harvey accidentally sets fire to his headteacher's trousers, Mum decides it's time for a BIG change and packs him off to … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – August 2024 (Part Two) →

Middle Grade Must Reads – August 2024 (Part One)

Shipwrecked Written by Jenny Pearson Published by Usborne I just adore a Jenny Pearson book, she's not afraid to tackle serious subjects but she does it in a humorous way. And this book is no different. Sebastian Sunrise and his two best friends, Lina and Étienne, are in a bit of trouble. They are stranded … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – August 2024 (Part One) →

Roots of Love. Families change, Love remains.

Written by Sarah Asuquo Illustrated by Ruthie Burton. Published by Scholastic. Every family is completely different and sometimes it can be hard to explain this to young children so in cases like this a picture book is the perfect way to do this. Tia has had the best day ever, until her parents tell her … Continue reading Roots of Love. Families change, Love remains. →

Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Four)

The Cloud Thief Written by James Nicol Published by Chicken House The environment means a lot to me, I recycle a lot , try to use less electricity and the weather interests me. So I was really interested in this book when I heard about it. I like nothing more than laying in bed reading … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Four) →

Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Three)

Secrets of the Snakestone Written by Piu DasGupta Zélie is often accused of being a witch, but she doesn’t believe in magic. Until Jules climbs up from the reeking Parisian sewer and hands Zélie the golden locket he discovered there. The locket once held the magical Snakestone, and Zélie knows that if she can find … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Three) →

Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Two)

The Floating Witch Mystery Written by Nicki Thornton When my cat was born she was miles away from the queue when brains were being handed out. There’s absolutely nothing in between her ears so whenever I read a book in this series I find myself looking at her and wishing she could be just like … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2024 (Part Two) →