Mrs Thompson has collated some of her recommended reads to prepare for World Book Day, to further show that reading is the bedrock of our curriculum and at the heart of everything we do.
We recognise that reading is the key that unlocks learning across the whole curriculum and academic success, but furthermore reading opens doors in terms of opportunity, enjoyment and lifelong success. We also recognise the importance of developing a genuine love of reading and of books for all – children and adults!
Here are some of Mrs Thompson’s thoughts on each book she has shared within the recommended reads:
Little Echo is a beautifully illustrated book about friendship and being brave. This is a current favourite at bedtime for my little boy, who loves to join in with the ‘echoes’ and remind me how angry and hungry the bear is!
You Choose Your Dreams is a fantastic interactive book that allows for imaginations to run wild! We love the page with all the animals on it and always try to do the different animal voices! I love how this book can spark conversations and creativity.
Julia Donaldson is incredible and I think will be a favourite in many homes! The Highway Rat follows the well-loved rhyming pattern of her others stories which you can’t help but chant and remember.
The Bear and the Piano is a heart-warming story all about following your dreams, belonging and the joy that music can bring. My little boy enjoyed reading about a bear who plays a piano and now wants to do the same!
Lost and Found is written by Oliver Jeffers, who is one of my favourite authors/illustrators of all time – and I love all of his books! This book is simple, but beautifully written and shares a message about kindness and friendship.
We recently borrowed ‘We Are Together’ from the library, as I love Britta Teckentrup as an author/illustrator. This is another beautifully illustrated book which is full of rhymes about how we are all together.
Tom Fletcher’s ‘There’s a…in your book’ series are interactive and great fun to read aloud together. There is a live on-stage version called ‘There’s a Monster in your show’ coming to Z-Arts at the end of March – Find out more…
You may know about Rob Biddulph through the #DrawWithRob phenomenon, but the book ‘Sunk‘ is great in its own right! A funny, entertaining and rhyming book about Penguin Blue the Pirate! Rob Biddulph’s books are currently being used to inspire ‘The 100 Story Hotel’ over at Z-Arts. It is “An interactive world of play and storytelling for 1-8 year olds and their grown-ups” – Find out more…
Although I haven’t been to this experience yet, I did visit their previous ‘Fairy Tales’ which was truly incredible. So if you can get to ‘The 100 Story Hotel’ I definitely would!
Final recommendation is Elmer. This is a classic children’s story about a very colourful elephant which shares the important message about loving one another for who they are and how we should celebrate our individuality. A new version of Elmer has been released as one of the £1 books for World Book Day called ‘Elmer and the Patchwork Story’. You will be able to pick this up in supermarkets and bookshops.