Humans and animals are innately curious about the world but are we innately kind? In one of this month’s books that we’ve reviewed (There’s no such thing as a Silly Question) this could even be one of the questions asked.…
Read More
One of the most important roles we play for the children in our lives is to guide them to develop a strong sense of self. Identity can be such a tricky thing to nurture: children learn from parents, family, teachers…
Read More
Change is afoot with children (and teachers!) heading back to school. there’ll be excitement for some; nerves for others. Some children will take the new school year as an opportunity for a fresh start; others will seek comfort in being…
Read More
Some of our schools have already broken up for the summer; some abroad take their longer holiday at other times of the year but here in England, sun shining (finally!) many schools finish this Friday. Some lucky children will be…
Read More
Staff summer bibliotherapy July 2024 At this time of year, with the summer holidays fast approaching, we’re thinking about what we might want to read during those (hopefully!) long sunny days and balmy evenings. Possibly sitting beside water, where the…
Read More
A recent dinner-time conversation with a couple of tweens associated with Literacy Tree led to a brilliantly in-depth discussion around the origins of Pride. The catalyst? One child’s peer, during Personal Development time, which, at this particular secondary school happens…
Read More
We’ve long-known just how important it is that children connect with the literature that they read. Forming deep connections with characters, plotlines and themes supports so many different developmental points on a reader’s journey. That which we connect with is…
Read More
What if some things in life – things that appear to be ‘set’; a ‘given’ weren’t really so? The whimsical nature of fairy tales, whilst possibly rooted in some truth are riddled with plot-holes where the science just doesn't add…
Read More
Picture books have been having a ‘moment’ for a while now: we know that the depth that illustrations can add to already beautiful words can make for an extraordinary pairing. Picture books can also be a gateway into independent reading…
Read More
We always say that books can be a window to the world for children but so too can they immerse readers in other worlds, times and places. Douglas Adams of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fame wove together a…
Read More
2023 has been another extraordinary year for new children’s literature so – to be honest – it is a near-impossible task to choose just a few books out of all that we’ve reviewed. However, we’ve eased the burden* by thinking…
Read More
Each year we curate a bibliotherapy just in time for Christmas shopping. This year, more so than ever, were we spoilt for choice and we think that what has been recently published reflects what has been a challenging year for…
Read More
With many children about to be at home for the longest school-break (although this may be different for our international schools), we wanted to explore the complexities that might exist around this. The idyllic vision of a long, carefree summer…
Read More
How it is already time for a summer bibliotherapy seems rather baffling… another full rotation around the sun and so much has happened in the world of children’s publishing! This is perhaps why there was much deliberation amongst staff as…
Read More
June is, of course, PRIDE month: a global celebration of members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but more importantly, a protest. The ‘Pride is a Protest’ movement reminds us that there is still much to be done both nationally and internationally.…
Read More
Europe Day, held each year on the 9th of May, marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration – a commitment to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe. When the war in Ukraine began just over a year ago, none of…
Read More
This month we’re exploring the theme of how our minds work: how do we process thoughts and ideas? Why are some people really good at spotting patterns? How is it that some people are incredibly good with their hands or…
Read More
March the 2nd is the date of this year’s World Book Day and this year’s theme is You are a reader with an emphasis on children making it their World Book Day. We firmly believe that for children to see…
Read More
