Q&A with Philip Womack, author of The Arrow of Apollo
This week we talk to acclaimed children’s author, Philip Womack Q: Hi, Philip Womack, how are you doing? What have you been up to this year? I’m very well, thank …
Publishing books for enjoyment and education
Like my colleagues, I chose a career in publishing because I believe in the importance of reading. Our job is to find stories and share them as widely as possible, …
Can reading improve mental health?
(CONTENT WARNING: Mention of mental illness, depression and anxiety) As we near the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s a good time to ponder can reading improve mental health? …
The history of children’s literature in 6 memorable books
The history of children’s literature has been gaining interest in recent years, as more people understand the vital place these books hold. Besides being invaluable for children’s education and entertainment, …
Q&A with Joanne O’Connell, author of Beauty and the Bin
This week we talk to children’s author, cookery writer and journalist, Joanne O’Connell Q: Hi, Joanne O’Connell, how are you doing? What are you looking forward to this year? I’m …
Reading books for autistic children will help spark their imagination
For World Autism Awareness Month, I have been asked to share with you our family’s favourite reading books for autistic children. Our son and daughter – now aged 13 and 11 …
Accessible books for students with disabilities are relevant to all children
I am passionate about accessible books for students with disabilities. As a teacher, special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and vice-principal of an academy, I want to ensure that books are …
Inclusive books for primary school foster understanding and acceptance
In my work, I think about inclusive books for primary school and inclusive books generally. The words “Representation is not a privilege, it’s a right” are pinned boldly to my …
6 of the best study resources for all key stages
As schools across the country reopen, pupils face the challenge of readjusting to the normal rhythms of in-person teaching. Finding the best study resources can be hard, so we at …
Q&A with Lucy Strange, author of The Ghost of Gosswater
This week we talk to award-winning children’s author, Lucy Strange Q: Hi, Lucy Strange, how are you doing? What are you looking forward to this year? Hello! I’m great, thank …
Children’s interest in STEM subjects starts with a love of books
It’s British Science Week and writing about STEM subjects has taken me down memory lane. I was starting the sixth form when I realised that engineering could be the career …
How reading develops imagination and how to give a child the reading spark
As we celebrated World Book Day this week, I started thinking about how reading develops imagination and how there’s never been a time when I didn’t love books. They have always been …
Literacy skills in engineering and why they are needed in the workplace
Working as a civil engineer, I use literacy skills in engineering every day, but I don’t always need to use maths. Maybe that surprises you. I certainly did a doubletake …
Q&A with SJ Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep
This week we talk to SJ Watson, writer of the critically acclaimed Before I Go to Sleep, Second Life and Final Cut Q: Hi, Steve, how are you doing? What …
Books2All recommendations – who will be your hero or heroine St Valentine’s Day 2021?
St Valentine’s Day 2021 is a time to celebrate the most special people in our lives. It conjures up familiar images of chocolate, flowers and hearts, but it’s also a …
Why school libraries are important and why having one is a complete no-brainer
I’m currently Vice-Chair of the Great School Libraries Campaign. We have investigated why school libraries are important and our research has found that one in eight schools has no library …
For teaching SEND pupils, books are irreplaceable
Teaching SEND pupils, or those with special educational needs and disabilities is the most rewarding job I have ever had. The smallest steps forward fill you with pride, and you …
Books2All recommendations – Burns Night 2021 great children’s reads
With Burns Night 2021 just around the corner on 25 January, it’s a great time of year to celebrate all forms of poetry. Robert Burns’ anniversary gives us cause to …
Q&A with Amanda Prowse, author of The Boy Between
This week we talk to international best-selling author, Amanda Prowse (CONTENT WARNING: Mention of mental health and depression) Q: Hi Amanda Prowse, how are you doing? What are you looking …
New Year’s resolution 2021 – time for a new take on an old tradition?
At some point in my life, I moved away from the self-improvement New Year’s resolution. You know the kind: get fit or eat less. No doubt there were too many …
Is virtual reality the future of education?
To consider the question: is virtual reality the future of education, we need to imagine a time when teachers are more like mentors, guiding their students through a personalised development …
Teaching reading to deaf children – because they love books too!
I was only 18 when I began teaching reading to deaf children, but I quickly realised there was a serious lack of books they could easily access when they started …
Q&A with Decima Blake, author of Hingston’s Box
This week we talk to crime writer, Decima Blake Q: Hi Decima Blake, how are you doing? How was your lockdown? I’m doing okay. Thank you for asking. Lockdown was …
Books2All recommendations – winter reading list
It’s that time of year again – the air’s getting colder, the days are growing shorter and, by 4 pm, it’s already looking like midnight. For a long time, I’ve …
Do books still matter?
Do books still matter in today’s ever more technology-filled and dependent world, where instant answers, up-to-date information and current events are available at the touch of a button? Why look …
My favourite children’s books shaped my childhood
Spending my childhood in Italy, I was incredibly lucky to have favourite children’s books in different languages. These experiences helped me develop a passion for reading that I hope never …
Q&A with Jo Cummins founder of Library Girl and Book Boy
This week we talk to blogger and teacher, Jo Cummings Q: Hi Jo Cummins, how are you doing? How was your lockdown? Hello there! As I answer your questions about …
Q&A with Giles Paley-Phillips, author of There’s a Lion in my Bathroom
This week we talk to award-winning children’s author, Giles Paley-Phillips Q: Hi Giles Paley-Phillips, how are you doing? How was your lockdown? I’m doing OK, thank you. Lockdown had its …
The best digital learning resources for teachers
Books2All has given some thought to what the best digital learning resources are. Every child should have the right to access a broad range of texts freely and easily. As …
Teaching a love for reading
Here’s a thought about teaching a love for reading: is it a teacher’s professional responsibility to read children’s books? In the teaching profession, we talk a lot about promoting reading …
Q&A with Bea Davenport, author of The Misper
This week we talk to former BBC journalist, turned author, Bea Davenport Q: Hi Bea Davenport, how are you doing? How was your lockdown? Hi everyone! It’s been OK for …
What are schools like in Nepal?
I was asking myself what are schools like in Nepal the year I decided to volunteer with a Nepalise charity. It was with a charity called the Mountain Trust during …
Educational privilege – the undeniable link between inequality and access to books
(CONTENT WARNING: Mention of suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual assault and abuse) Much has been spoken recently about ‘privilege’ generally and not just educational privilege. Not as a word rolling …
Why I decided to study GCSEs from home
Nine years ago, I decided to study GCSEs from home and not continue my education in school. After living abroad for a few years, I had just returned to the …
Q&A with Tom Palmer, author of After the War
This week we talk to sports enthusiast and children’s author, Tom Palmer Q: Hi Tom Palmer, how are you doing? How was your lockdown? I’m okay, thanks. Lockdown was mixed. …
The perils of international education
I have worked in international education, but I am not an educator. I do not have a PGCE or any teaching experience to speak of – other than occasional classroom …
Educational inequality in the UK – 7 shocking statistics
Educational inequality in the UK is a disparity that exists in both the private and state education systems. The private sector attracts wealthier families who can afford to send their …