We've just recognised Mental Health Awareness Week (18 - 24 May 2020) and I'm pleased to have been able to write an article for True Education Partnerships about my recommendations for books to help build resilience in children. They are all gorgeous books and so lovely to share with your children. Follow the link to… Continue reading Books to Build Resilience
Sherlock Holmes meets Dickens in this heart-stopping Victorian mystery. It is the perfect book for anyone who loves to explore the dark, haunted side of a historic city. There are new twists at every turn as Zinnie strives to uncover the truth. This is a wonderful story of challenging female stereotypes and finding strength in… Continue reading The House of Hidden Wonders by Sharon Gosling
Baller Boys by Venessa Taylor is the book every football-crazy child has been waiting for! Aimed at children who absolutely love football, especially boys, this exciting, heart-warming story will encourage even the most reluctant reader to give it a try. Soon they will be swept away in the play-by-play action. I can think of numerous… Continue reading BLOG TOUR: Baller Boys by Venessa Taylor & illustrated by Kenneth Ghann
Mystery and intrigue step up a gear in Kidnap on the California Comet, the highly-anticipated sequel to The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. This second Adventures on Trains story doesn't disappoint as 12 year-old Hal Beck is back riding the rails with his Uncle Nat. This time, they’re in America on… Continue reading Kidnap on the California Comet (Adventures on Trains) by M.G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman
Even when things seem at their darkest, there is always a flicker of light. The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery is so much more than a story about the Second World War. It explores darkness, light, hope and love within layers and layers of meaning. Both the internal and external battles portrayed in this story… Continue reading The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery
1. Think about the type of classroom community you want to create. How will you build relationships with the children in your class from day one? Respect, care, kindness, teamwork – what will you class’s core values be? What do you want the atmosphere in your classroom to feel like? At the end of the… Continue reading Top Ten Tips for Primary NQTs
Joy by Yasmeen Ismail and illustrated by Jenni Desmond is just that – an absolute bundle of kitten joy! We are smitten cat lovers in our house so this charming book is purr-fect for us! I read it with my son and he giggled and “awwww”ed his way through the entire story. There’s nothing better… Continue reading Joy by Yasmeen Ismail & Jenni Desmond
Dark, mysterious, captivating… The Vanishing Trick pulled me in from the very first moment Leander spotted the strange, black carriage and met the eerie Madame Pinchbeck. “It wasn’t a sin to steal if you only took forgotten things” and this lost, forgotten, empty boy needs nothing more than to belong – to someone, to something.… Continue reading The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler & illustrated by Chris Mould
Our cats seem to think we've all given up work so we can spend all day with them and they are absolutley living their best lives at the moment! In between cuddles and being sat on, we're all trying to get some work done. We have been home learning for 8 weeks now (including the… Continue reading What’s Working Well During Lockdown…
One of the country’s favourite witches is back with a fun and reassuring take on the challenges of lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic. Winnie the Witch is staying at home with her wonderful cat, Wilbur. Together they listen to the news, try to wash their hands, learn about good hygiene when they sneeze, do their… Continue reading Winnie and Wilbur Stay at Home by Valerie Thomas & Korky Paul
Scope for Imagination 