Useful resources

[Ali]

The author of The Roman Mysteries, Caroline Lawrence, has posted this useful outline of themes in her books. http://www.romanmysteries.com/themes-... This gives some ideas for how her books could be used in schools. If you find similar useful online resources, please share them here!

[Ali]

Here is a list of Lauren St John's favourite animal stories. What would you add? http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-b... I'd add The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith!

[Zaid]

A worthwhile link to follow. Websites and internet-linked books recommended by Usborne editors to help you find out more about a subject on the Internet.
http://www.usborne-quicklinks.com/

[Ali]

Fantastic! Usborne is a pretty reliable publisher with some really good quality information books.

[Ali]

A few good links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012ql5c "How Dolly got Rotherham Reading" has some good interviews with researchers on the importance of early reading, and http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent... some reviews of new KS2 books http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...
The Diana Wynne Jones is on my holiday reading list; she is one of my favourites.

[Ali]

Another useful resource. I wasn't aware that Jackie Kay wrote poetry for children! http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/201... However Geraldine McCaughrean is a wonderful writer; I reviewed a collection of myths retold by her.
http://www.booktrustchildrensbooks.or... is a good list; the higher up the list the younger the children.

[Ali]

Recommended books from the Literacy Trust. http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/searc...

[Ali]

A Bookseller article on the eve of the announcement of Julia Donaldson as the Children's Laureate 2011-13 http://www.thebookseller.com/feature/...

[Ali]

http://www.readingagency.org.uk/child... Some useful information about the importance of reading.

[Ali]

A list of great books to read aloud from author Mal Peet http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/... Nice to see 2 Ahlberg books on there, and Bob Wilson's Stanley Bagshawe, which I'd forgotten about!

[Basra]

Hi everyone,
Here is a useful link which has resources for poetry and creative writing lessons http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/lib/t...
:)

[Ali]

Thanks Basra! That is a great site to explore, particularly the children's archive. We will use it in the Poetry taught session!

[Basra]

Yes the children's archive is very interesting I will look forward to the session.
This is also a good website particularly when introducing poetry for the first time

http://www.poetryclass.net/lessona.ht...

[Ali]

That's great, thanks!

[Ali]

I went to see this exhibition at the Imperial War Museum today. I thoroughly recommend it, and if you're not familiar with the books, I recommend them as well! http://wartime.iwm.org.uk/

[Catherine]

I went to that exhibition too on the day I came over for my interview in UEL!! I was writing my English thesis on children's literature featuring WW2, I thought it was fabulous and wished I had more time there! It was magical in a way...

[Ali]

There's also a Judith Kerr (Mog, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit) exhibition on at the Museum of Childhood. It ends in early September, so get there as soon as possible!

[Lorraine]

Hey everyone,
I found this book this morning in our resource room in work which would be useful for when
teaching about different festivals...It's called:

'The First Book of Festivals, A teachers resource book' by Anita Ganeri with activities by Mary Saunders.

It looks an easy read and would be great for tips when teaching Key Stage one!It might be on google books...

[Ali]

Lorraine wrote: "Hey everyone,
I found this book this morning in our resource room in work which would be useful for when
teaching about different festivals...It's called:

'The First Book of Festivals, A tea..."

That sounds great, Lorraine.

[Ali]

I love this clip of a child reader interviewing Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline and The Graveyard Book (and a Doctor Who episode!) http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-b...

[Beccy]

Have just come across this- http://myths.e2bn.org/index.php
Retelling of some classic myths, some British regional folklore too which is great and also the facility for children to make their own story board against which to write a legend of their own and submit it for inclusion to the site if they wish. A really great interactive resource.

[Ali]

Since it's Carnival weekend, here's Rastamouse on how to write a reggae song http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyl.... Did you know that Rastamouse was a book character before he was a TV programme? Rastamouse and Da Bag-a Bling

[Ali]

Beccy wrote: "Have just come across this- http://myths.e2bn.org/index.php
Retelling of some classic myths, some British regional folklore too which is great and also the facility for children to make their own ..."

Great resource, Beccy, thanks!

[Ali]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...
Some great children's lit villains here- from Shere Khan The Jungle Books to Mrs Coulter Northern Lights to Cruella De Vil The 101 Dalmatians to Samuel Whiskers The Tale of Samuel Whiskers!

[Ali]

A list of recommended books for 11-year-olds. A mixed bag, in my opinion! What do you think? http://www.abebooks.co.uk/books/child...

[Ali]

Some interesting thoughts from the US School Library Journal on adults' vs children's reading and interpretation of books http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/...

[Ali]

Some free online picture books, that could be used with your classroom's interactive whiteboard http://www.janpienkowski.com/fun-and-...

[Ali]

Roald Dahl's Matilda is being dramatised on Radio 4 Extra (digital station, also available on iPlayer) tomorrow http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra/

[Anna]

Alison wrote: "Some free online picture books, that could be used with your classroom's interactive whiteboard http://www.janpienkowski.com/fun-and-..."

Amazing illustrations and great stories:)

[Ali]

Anna wrote: "Alison wrote: "Some free online picture books, that could be used with your classroom's interactive whiteboard http://www.janpienkowski.com/fun-and-..."

Amazing illustrations and great..."

Aren't they? He's a great illustrator and writer.

[Ali]

This blog http://the-history-girls.blogspot.com/ could be very useful if you're planning a history-based trip for KS2 children. You can search for the period of historical novel in the tag cloud on the right of the homepage.

[Ali]

I can't remember who recommended Marita Conlon-McKenna's Children of the Famine books to me. I saw all three in a charity shop today, and snaffled them. Thank you!

[[deleted user]]

love those books!

[Ali]

Some great books with strong girl characters here. Dido Twite has been a favourite of mine since I was about 8. http://www.amandacraig.com/pages/chil...

[Ali]

Some graphic novel/ picture book crossovers, including Shaun Tan and Maurice SEndak, but also Vivienne Schwartz and Posy Simmonds, of Tamara Drewe fame http://www.librarymice.com/2011/09/fa...

[Ali]

http://www.newham.gov.uk/Entertainmen... If you're moving to Newham and want to use the local (not UEL) library to borrow children's books, here is some information. Stratford Library is very close to UEL, and I think your most convenient library if you're moving to Docklands campus is the one at Custom House.

[Ali]

Great Science resource books- not information books, but giving information about Science topics through stories. http://www.goodreads.com/series/55748...

[Ali]

http://blog.prathambooks.org/2011/09/... Should we worry about scary content in fairy stories?

[Ali]

I mentioed Tom Palmer to a couple of groups. His website is here: http://tompalmer.co.uk/index.php?page... and he has resources linked to his Football Academy/ Football Detectives series and to the Rugby World Cup. He's an ex Primary teacher, so his resources are realistic to use in the classroom (although word searches are best left to wet [play/ toy day activities...)

[Ali]

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i... If you would like to get sent free books in return for reviewing, have a look at the website style guide and requirements! They often want reviewers for new children's books.

[Sara]

Hi all,

Check out: http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/

It is an online children's magazine that provides reviews and recommendations of books and articles in relation to children's writing.

Also check out : http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/

The site provides recommendations of children's books and allows you to read extracts before selecting books to read and purchase.

Sara

[Ali]

Thanks Sara; very useful sites.

[Ali]

The Gyuardian Children's Books podcasts are very good- short, only about 15 mins long, but with author interviews http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-b...

[Ali]

This looks great. Oliver Jeffers playing and talking about the music that inspires him, on BBC6 Music on Sunday, 12 noon http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017gnn8

[Ali]

Mary Hoffman's Top 10 Christmas books http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-b...

[Ali]

Penelope Lively, famous for The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, has been made Dame for services to literature http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainme...

[Ali]

Two dramatisations of children's books on radio you may be interested in: Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses next Saturday afternoon http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01cj1s1 and Rosemary Sutcliff's Brother Dusty Feet tomorrow (Sunday 19th) at 9am http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c6gs7. I'll be listening!

[Ali]

Another exciting adaptation story: David Walliams is to star in his own adaptation of Mr Stink http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/201...

[Ali]

Here are some resources for using texts in Refugee Week (week beginning 18th June) http://www.salusburyworld.org.uk/publ...

[Virginia]

Alison wrote: "Here are some resources for using texts in Refugee Week (week beginning 18th June) http://www.salusburyworld.org.uk/publ..."

Hi Alison

Re texts for Refugee Week, many thanks. I have only had a quick glance so far and the list looks very interesting. I spotted some titles that I am sure the children will enjoy.

Thanks also for the other resources posted (although I haven't yet looked at them).

Virginia