Chris Isaac P7 Book review 12 – ‘No Running’ by Alison Hawes

[Cisaac]

No Running is a short story about a boy who goes swimming with his friends. Initially Bill and his friends act irresponsibly; they are told off for playing in the small children’s pool and are sent to the big pool to play. It would seem that the parents and lifeguards are unhappy with Bill and his friends until an accident occurs and Bill saves the day.
I have chosen to review this book as I have previously used it as an entry point for a year 2 literacy scheme of lessons. I found this text particularly useful when introducing activities around the theme of health and safety, care in the community and responsibility. As a result, teachers may find that they can make a number of links to religious education themes in AT2.
A post reading activity for this story may include students discussing and designing their own rules for the swimming pool. No Running is a level appropriate text, ideal for whole class and guided reading with its colourful illustrations providing amble opportunity to practice prediction skills, inference skills and comprehension checks. Whenever I have read No Running with a class of students they have identified which the experiences of going swimming, feeling associated with acting irresponsibly and helping others. I would recommend this text to KS1 teachers looking for a pleasant read to explore themes or water safely and responsibility and would like to practice discussion and debate skills with their class.