World Book Night 2012

You may have been involved in World Book Night in 2011, I certainly was and it was great! A rather important due date means I won't be signing up as giver for 2012, but might want to? If so we could help you get the books to our network of volunteer reading mentors, schools and settings.


There are certainly some interesting books on the 2012 list. Although I'd still like to see more titles aimed at a young audience, the US list at least includes The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

New Baby - Little Parachutes

My start with Reading Matters was two weeks after the birth of my first daughter, Rose, see my very first blog post. Well three years later, a new baby is on the way:

It is exciting times, I may not be to coherent around the end of April!

To prepare Rose for becoming a big sister I have been looking for reading recommendations. The Little Parachutes website, in conjunction with the local library, has proved really useful. Little Parachutes provides suggestions for 'picture books to help with life's challenges' such as a new baby. I can really recommend The Perfect Baby by Tony Bradman and Holly Swain.


With other subjects including Hospitals/Operations, Fear of the Dark, Moving House, Starting School and Healthy Eating it is great for exploring issues with children via reading.

Wildlife Trust Wildlife Watch Magazine

My colleague, Diane, passed me her latest copy of Wildlife Watch Magazine, published by the Wildlife Trust. Both the magazine and the website are super and perfect for reading partnerships where a young person is interested in nature.


Both the website and magazine are really nicely presented with lots of colour, pictures and snappy bits of text to read.


The magazine has games, competitions and activities, this edition, Winter 2011 has a beautiful Red Squirrel poster too.


The website is full of interesting things to read and do, in particular:

• Exploring wildlife by seasons, habitats tracks and signs etc.
• Activities  with loads of suggestions
• Downloads, spotting sheets, word searches, activity sheets, recipes and loads more
• Games, Greenspace Race has some reading built in
• Badger's blog and Watchers entries frequently updated

All brilliant stuff, well worth checking out.

Learning is lovely: 12 days of Learning Pool gifts

I have just received the fifth gift from the Learning Pools 12 days of gifts. A really nice children's Christmas Activity Pack. Just right for reading partnerships. Whether it is Christmas or not The Learning Pool has all sorts of nice resources to check out.