There is no doubt that Animal Farm is a classic. It’s being studied in secondary schools around the country. My own daughter read it in Year 7 and loved the connections to politics and the Russian Revolution. It is fantastic that Barrington Stoke has released this brilliant story in a dyslexia-friendly, unabridged edition. With specially-designed… Continue reading Animal Farm by George Orwell
I’m thrilled to introduce my first reading comprehension book for children in Key Stage Two. This resource for teachers and parents introduces children to a variety of texts from the world of classic children’s literature. They are given opportunities to tackle more complex vocabulary, develop endurance for longer passages and practise each of the eight… Continue reading Developing Reading Comprehension Skills: Classic Children’s Literature, Years 5-6 by Kate Heap
A magical snow globe, a purple reindeer, a grow-your-own Christmas pudding – The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is bursting with festive treats! This modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol will take the reader on an emotion-fuelled adventure. Hilarious, laugh-out-loud antics join heart-felt moments of dealing with loss and grief. It’s George’s third Christmas without… Continue reading The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle
Now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe Upon a dwarfish thief. - William Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5.2 - Macbeth United is not a typical football story. It’s the clever retelling of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Macbeth, through the action-packed drama of a youth football team, Michael Rosen creates parallels to… Continue reading Macbeth United by Michael Rosen & illustrated by Tony Ross
Reading this, I felt like I had travelled back in time to when I first read and loved Austen in high school. The writing is so similar in style - Lucy Worsley has really captured the essence of Austen and what her stories were all about. The charm of the characters jumps off the page… Continue reading The Austen Girls by Lucy Worsley
One of the world’s favourite redheads is back in updated editions of her wonderful stories illustrated by Mini Grey and published by Oxford University Press to celebrate her 75th anniversary. When her 7-year-old daughter was ill, author Astrid Lindgren was looking for a way to entertain her and began telling imaginative stories. The wonderful Pippi Longstocking… Continue reading Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren & illustrated by Mini Grey
Like Shakespeare, the language of Charles Dickens is an enormous part of our lexicon and everyday life. A familiarity with his stories is a key part of a well-rounded general knowledge about British literature, history and culture. Dickens’ links to the Industrial Revolution and Victorian Britain also make him an important part of the Key… Continue reading A World Full of Dickens Stories by Angela McAllister
Coming soon! My book on using classic texts in Reading is finished and with my publisher, Brilliant Publications. I can’t wait for it to make its way through the publication process so I can finally see it in print!
