A quick round-up of the best things I've been creating and discovering. |
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Including: - Tips on working with struggling older readers;
- Gender swapped fairy tales;
- New books from Oliver Jeffers and Michael Rosen;
- Discussion starters based on quotes;
- The best book I've read on Black British history for aged 8+;
- A forthcoming book on how to talk to children about race from a UK expert;
- Two amazing free picture book story time plans;
- Free planning from the Literacy Shed and much, much more!
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🍁Happy October from Spread Book Joy! 🍁 Hello, ${contact.Name.First}! In the face of all the horrible news lately, I am spending some time each day thinking of things I am grateful for. Given the change of season, I'm grateful for blankets, books and hot chocolate! I hope you have lots to be grateful for as well x This newsletter comes a bit later than intended due to some technical difficulties I've been having recently (laptop death!), but I am back up and running with lots of book news for you! In this round-up: 📝Three blog posts 📺Four new videos ✨Three free Spread Book Joy resources 📚Ten exciting new book releases 🤍Two bookish things that make me happy 💻Three fantastic free online learning resources |
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Three things I've been writing about: |
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Who do you think you are? Part Two.In this series, I attempt to break down some of the eye-opening academic literature that I reviewed on reading and identity. In part one, I discussed the importance of identity in relation to learning, the different factors influencing our identities and how many of these factors come into play in the school setting. |
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Who Do You Think You Are? Part Three.The effect of identity on text interpretation and why acknowledging identity is key to supporting young readers. Have you ever gone back to a book you hated and found that you now absolutely love it? Or the other way around? Obviously, it isn't the text that has changed, but the person! |
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Reluctant Readers Do Not Exist!Plus: Book Selection Tips and Reading Suggestions for Struggling Older Readers Do you know of a child in the upper primary age range (9+ years old) who never wants to pick up a book? A child who can functionally read but is not yet completely fluent? A child who finds reading a chore? |
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Seven things I've created: |
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'Quick Quote Questions' discussion prompts. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen that I've started posting quotes with some discussion prompts that can be used to get children thinking. Follow the hashtag #quickquotequestions to get regular updates. Hopefully, they'll be of use to parents and teachers! Use them at home for a dinner time discussion or while on the bus to school. Use them at school as a lesson warm-up, book group discussion or if you have five minutes to spare. I'll keep a bank in my Instagram highlights under 'Talking Prompts'. If you are not on social media, you can find an Instagram gallery on my website home page. Here is an example: |
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- What might this quote mean?
- Do you agree with it? Why/why not?
- Can something be 'more than true'?
- Why would it help someone in real life to know that 'dragons can be beaten'?
- Do you have a favourite fairytale?
- Thinking of your favourite fairytale, or one you know well, is there a moral or a message behind it?
- Have you read any books that remind you of fairytales?
- What does this quote tell us about G. K. Chesterton?
Use all of the questions or just one! If you do use them and get any amazing answers, I'd love to hear about it. Please do email me or comment on the post that you used! |
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Two Joy Book Club videos and two fantastic accompanying story time plans. |
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| | A perfect autumnal read! 'Pumpkin Soup' by Helen Cooper is a wonderful story with a strong message about friendship. Don't forget to check out the accompanying video! | | |
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| | During World Space Week, my Joy Book CLub pick was the amazing 'Look Up!' by Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola. Don't forget to check out the accompanying video! | | |
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One Get Kids Reading in-depth video review of 'The Boy at the Back of the Class' by Onjali Rauf where I discuss ideas for teaching and also create badges using polymer clay. |
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Six quick book recommendations for children aged 9-12. Six very different but brilliant books: a murder mystery on a London estate • a family secret and magical realism in India • a boy who has lived for a thousand years • a true story about a wonderful gorilla living in a shopping mall • an autistic girl leads a campaign to right old wrongs • a dog who is trying to save his family! Each review is no longer than 3 minutes with time stamps to help you navigate if you just want to see one or two: |
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Ten exciting new book releases : |
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Four picture book releases:'Gender Swapped Fairy Tales' by Karrie Fransman and Jonathan Plackett. These traditional tales have not been tampered in any other way aside from swapping the genders and the difference is said to be dazzling! The illustrations look enchanting as well. Out on the 5th of November from Faber & Faber. 'What We'll Build' by Oliver Jeffers, published 6th of October. Described as the companion to his beautiful love letter to the world, 'Here We Are'. A father and daughter begin laying the foundations for the life they will build together. 'Julian at the Wedding' by Jessica Love, published 1st of October. Julian is back! And this time he is part of the wedding party for his two aunties. Jessica Love's joyfully expressive illustration brings us another feast for the eyes. Keep an eye out on my Instagram for a closer look soon! 'The Lost Spells' by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris, published 1st of October. Described as 'kindred' to their stunning surprise hit 'The Lost Words', the author and illustrator bring us more magical poetry and pictures of nature in a pocket-sized hardback.
Four books for older children: 'The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain' Edited by Katherine Rundell, published 1st of October. 133 children's authors and illustrators contributed to this collection to provide hope to children in these troubled times. Packed with stories, poems and pictures. 'On the Move: Poems About Migration' by Michael Rosen, Illustrated by Quentin Blake. Published 1st of October. In his new poetry collection, Michael Rosen explores his own family's experiences with migration, the Second World War and the Holocaust and global experiences of migration. A timely anthology. 'Serpentine' by Phillip Pullman, published 15th of October. Returning to the world of His Dark Materials, this short story from Phillip Pullman follows Lyra and Pan on a journey to the North to visit an old friend. A hardback illustrated by Tom Duxbury. 'Black and British' by David Olusoga. Published on the 1st of October. This is definitely one of the best books I have read recently and I think it is crucial for all classrooms to have a copy. I often struggle to find British focussed books in Black History Month and this is a refreshing and necessary book which details Black British history from the time of the Romans through to the present. Highly recommended!
Two books for grown-ups: 'Troy: Our Greatest Story Retold' by Stephen Fry. Published 29th of October. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading or listening to any of Fry's recent books on the Greek myths, then you are missing a treat. I was lucky enough to see his Mythos show live and he has a wonderful storytelling style. Making myths accessible to all, he is engaging and delightful and I can't wait for this latest installment. 'We Wish We Knew What To Say: Talking with Children About Race' by Dr Pragya Agarwal. Published on the 29th of October. A book I am eagerly anticipating from one of the UK's leading behavioural and data scientists. Practical advice with questions, scenarios and resources to support us to give children the tools and vocabulary to talk about difference and tackle unfairness.
Click the link below to visit this book list on my website. Any purchases made through the links will support the newsletter and website : |
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Book List: Newsletter Books | Spread Book JoyThe Newsletter Book List These are affiliate links. This just means that if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will never link to books or products that I would not whole-heartedly recommend or use myself. |
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Three bookish things that make me happy: |
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Thirty years after Angelica Housten terrified us all in the 1990 film, a new movie adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' is set to be released just in time for Halloween. It will be available to stream through Premium Video On Demand on the 26th of October here in the UK. Starring Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch and a host of stars, including Stanley Tucci, Octavia Butler and directed by Robert Zemeckis. I have a real fondness for the 1990 film, so I'm hoping this will live up to it: |
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The Obamas' production company will be making an 'Ada Twist, Scientist' TV series: |
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Three great free online resources: |
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Free taster units from the Literacy Shed who have started a planning subscription service. These are full units for three different age groups (5-7, 7-9 and 9-11), which are all excellent and completely free! |
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This is a really useful site for parents but I also find it really useful as a teacher. Common Sense Media is an American review site for books and films which gives vital information on the suitability of materials for children. The reviews tell you if there is any inappropriate language, violence or sexual content, as well as giving a good overview of the material. |
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Shakespeare and More HomeShakespeare and More - Free planning and resources for teaching primary school English and literacy lessons |
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From English specialist, James Clements, comes Shakespeare & More.com. An amazing website full of his free resources to plan an amazing text-based English curriculum. |
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My next Joy Book Club pick is 'Ollie's Lost Kitten' by Nicola Killen. It is a beautiful autumnal themed book in which Ollie and her cat Pumpkin find a lost kitten hiding in a pile of crisp autumn leaves. Click on the picture to access my newsletter booklist if you want to check it out and get your own copy: |
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My website book lists will also be updated over the coming weeks. Sadly, this was a job that I was in the middle of when my laptop decided it didn't want to play any more. However, soon to be added will be lists on: - Relationships (friends and family, sharing, etc.)
- Promoting positivity (love, kindness, resilience, aspiration, etc.)
- Dealing with difficult emotions (emotional and mental health)
- Bereavement
If you have any requests for other themed lists, do let me know. |
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Spread Book Joy is just over one month old already and, despite the huge technical issues, it has been so much fun sharing my reading adventures and free resources. I have been overwhelmed by the support I've received and the kind feedback. If you like what I do, please do share it with others and remember to subscribe to my social media channels below! As always, if you have any questions, suggestions or requests, please reply to this email and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If you have any feedback on this newsletter, it will be gratefully received. 🤍 Thanks for your support! 🤍 Jacqueline x |
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