This month we’re celebrating picture books and all things spring. The vernal equinox – that is, the first official day of spring – signals a beginning. New life and the promise of lush, verdant spaces appearing as grass greens, leaves…
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In celebration of this year’s Women’s History Month, we’re thinking about the most inspirational and influential women in literature: writers and protagonists. So many stories of empowerment, calls to action and forces for change are written into literature and poetry.…
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Ever heard the phrase, ‘no mess, no progress’? If you think about it, it’s rather a good motto to live one’s life by. And for children, learning can be messy - in a literal sense but also in terms of…
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As ever, we’re astonished at the calibre of new literature that is sent to us from publishers and publicists alike at Literacy Tree HQ for review. It’s always incredibly difficult to choose just a few of the titles. Nonetheless, we’ve…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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