I loved this Robin Hood style story in which an unlikely hero steals from the rich (including the tyrannical king) to help those who are struggling in the community. Is this right? Is this wrong? Will good win in the end? Chaya, Noor and Neel have to be true to themselves to find the answers.… Continue reading The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook
Sequin and Stitch, written by Laura Dockrill and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, is a wonderfully crafted story of family, dreams and home. It is overflowing with empathy for the struggles and joys faced by so many children. The layers of meaning are stitched together beautifully to create a story that is enjoyable to read yet… Continue reading Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill
From the very first chapter, The Highland Falcon Thief felt like home. Full of suspense and anticipation, the familiarity of the trains I love mixed with mystery and history carried me away. Once I started, I couldn’t stop and read the book in a day – what a lovely day it was! Eleven-year-old Hal Beck… Continue reading The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman
The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike is a unique, spell-binding story of love, family and truth. Eleven-year-old Rayne lives with her mother in their quiet village. Bound by the magic of her family’s past, she is destined to become a spell breather, just like her mother. However, Rayne would much rather be out with… Continue reading The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike
Nosy Crow, February 2020 This pioneering adventure by British author Karen McCombie is the engaging sequel to Little Bird Flies (published by Nosy Crow in January 2019). Set in mid-nineteenth century America, 15 year-old Bridie (Little Bird) embarks on a new life in the west, leaving her beloved homeland of Scotland behind. Inspired by pioneering… Continue reading Little Bird Lands by Karen McCombie
Darkwhispers is Vashti Hardy’s second book about Arthur and Maudie Brightstorm – twins who live a life of exploration and adventure. Following on from their expedition to South Polaris to find out the truth about their father’s disappearance in Brightstorm (published by Scholastic in 2018), Arthur and Maudie set off on another journey with their… Continue reading Darkwhispers: Into the Unknown
Meeting Vashti Hardy at School Engaging with current and active children’s authors and illustrators is a powerful way to promote reading for pleasure in your school. It allows children to interact with positive Literacy role models and inspires both reading and writing skills. Here are some easy ways to make contact and bring authors into… Continue reading Engaging with Authors: Powerful Inspiration for Young Readers and Writers
Our nine-year-old twins (and their big sister before them) come home from school muddy every day – not just some days when they’ve been out on a school trip or had PE but every day. This isn’t a little bit of mud on their shoes, it’s full “up the trousers, over the tights, sometimes even… Continue reading Why a Muddy Day is a Good Day
There is so much scope for imagination when children are given opportunities to learn beyond the four walls of their classroom and explore the wider world through outdoor learning. The Michael Morpurgo novel, Kensuke’s Kingdom, is an engaging story which can be linked to many fantastic cross-curricular units in Upper Key Stage Two. “Journeys”, “The… Continue reading Learning Beyond the Classroom with Literacy Inspired Outdoor Education
Leeds has declared September 2019 - September 2020 a Year of Reading! The aim is develop a love of reading across the city with the aim of raising achievement in both primary and secondary schools. Leeds hopes to engage children, families and whole communities with a wide variety of wonderful reading activities. #LeedsLovesReading Follow the… Continue reading ABC of Children’s Literature – Leeds Year of Reading
Scope for Imagination 