Reading Matters New Website

We are really pleased to have a new website that really promotes and supports all Reading Matters activities. With details of our key services (Reading Mentors, Reading Leaders, Reading Families and Reading Teams) and downloadable resources including Fun Sheets, Case Studies, Research and Information Packs.

Take a look at www.readingmatters.org.uk, and get involved:

• Leave a comment on the blog
• See the latest updates from our Facebook page, please like us! 
• Sign up for the new Email Bulletin 
• Check out the Events Calendar

This blog has been incorporated into the new website, so in future posts will be added there. You may want to update any subscriptions you have set up.

A week of shortlists

Every blog post I have read this week seems to mention a new book award shortlist:

• The 2012 Carnegie Medal Shortlist - My Name is Mina by David Almond shortlisted again!
• The 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlist - We love There Are No Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwarz in our house!
• 2012 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize - winner, The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle, looks absolutely brilliant
• English Association Primary Website Book Awards Shortlist - This is a new one for me, a very nice list,  I must get  a copy of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

The BFG is 30 - lets have a frobscottle

The BFG cropped up at our recent Volunteer Reading Mentors meeting. One of our smashing Reading Mentors has being using Roald Dahl's book in her reading sessions. The super use of language is working really well with her partner who can identify with the spellings and phrases such as  "human beans" and "snozzcumbers".

Then on the Schools Librarian Association Blog I learn the BFG is 30 years old! On the 13 September you can celebrate his birthday. So plenty of time to start planning some fun. Download the pdf leaflet.

Reading Matters on Breeze Culture Network

We are really pleased to be featured on the new Breeze Culture Network website:

We are running a series of training courses for school and setting staff in Leeds next term, so it is the perfect way to promote these; along side loads of other great events and resources.

Leeds Reading Mentors Training

We have a couple of nice Reading Mentors training courses coming up in Leeds. A workshop for co-ordinations of volunteer reading mentors in schools and other settings. And an accredited training course for reading mentors themselves.

Managing Reading Mentors Workshop - 17/4/12

Half day workshop to develop best practice recruiting, supporting and managing volunteer reading mentors from the local community.

• Establishing an effective programme of one-to-one reading sessions 
• Free USB-stick loaded with template documents to manage the programme 
• Access to Reading Matters resources and advice 

£95 per person

Reading Mentors Training - 3/5/12

An in-depth one day training course to maximise the effectiveness of your reading mentors:

• Identification of reading difficulties
• How to work one-to-one effectively
• Using appropriate reading resources
• Reading age assessment
• Techniques to improve reading skills
• Supporting the Literacy Curriculum
• Safeguarding children
• Prepare for NOCN Level 2 accreditation

£195 per person

To book contact Reading Matters:
info@readingmatters.org.uk, 01274 692219

Showcomotion Youth Jury

This afternoon Reading Matters meeting for Reading Mentors and Co-ordinators is kindly being hosted by The Showroom Cinema. 


We will be there because we have some exciting events lined up as part of the Showcomotion, Young People's Film Festival; watch this space!


In the meantime, they are looking for to recruit members of the Showcomotion Youth Jury members to watch some great films, and award the Showcomotion Jury Award for 2012.

I think it would be perfect for our Reading Leaders, but great for any young people aged 11 to 18, so why not get involved...

World Read Aloud Day 2012

It is World Read Aloud Day today, 7 March 2012. As the organisers LitWorld say:

"Take Action for Global Literacy, Celebrate the Power of Words, Change the World"

Check out the Facebook page for more info.

World Book Day 2012

1 week to go before World Book Day 2012, on 1 March. As ever it looks really great;

• The £1 books look cool; get  your tokens ready.
• The Biggest Show on Earth, online festival, includes some amazing authors and illustrators.
• Nominate a Storytelling Superstar.
• Play games, enter a competition or attend an event (including one at the Houses of Parliament).
• There are tons of Resources for schools, libraries, bookshops etc.

Almost too much to take in, have fun!

Book awards, competitions and festivals

I've spotted a few nice book-themed activities recently.

• Blue Peter Book Awards 2012, they are also trying yo find
• The Best Children's Book of the Last 10 Years
• BBC 500 Words story-writing competition with Chris Evans
• Schools Minister Nick Gibb's new reading competition
• Redhouse Children's Book Award, the 2012 winner will be announced at the...
• Imagine Children's Festival - 11 - 26 February - it's on now!

Video: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Great book-themed animation, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.



Their descriptions sums it all up better than I could:

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.

“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” is one of five animated short films that will be considered for outstanding film achievements of 2011 in the 84th Academy Awards ®.

[thanks to Drawn]