Annalynn the Canadian Spy: Terrible Tissues by Shawn Robinson is a slightly wacky and 100% fun Canadian mystery! This early chapter book for age 7+ is a welcome taste of home for Canadians living in the UK! 10-year-old Annalynn is just going about her everyday life and trying to look after her poorly family when,… Continue reading Annalynn the Canadian Spy by Shawn Robinson
Eloise Williams writes with magic and passion. Her latest book, Wilde, is the perfect combination of the everyday trials of Year 6 and a wonderfully mystical story. Wilde is a young girl with a whole collection of troubles. When she arrives at her aunt’s house in the town of Witch Point in Wales, she knows… Continue reading Wilde by Eloise Williams
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll is a story of identity, strength and finding your voice. 11-year-old Addie wants nothing more than to be understood and to be heard. She lives in a world where only a very few people truly understand how she thinks and feels but there are many people who don’t… Continue reading A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
In 2017, Empathy Lab founded Empathy Day. This year, developing empathy is more important than ever as the entire world is living through incredibly challenging times. In order to support and care for each other, we need to build up our empathy skills. I have written an article about books that develop empathy for Barrington Stoke publishers and… Continue reading 5 FANTASTIC BOOKS TO DEVELOP EMPATHY IN CHILDREN
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
Scope for Imagination 