Resources

From artists to aviators and scientists to revolutionaries, Little Guides to Great Lives is a brand new series of small-format guides introducing children to the most inspirational figures from history in a fun, accessible way. Meet Anne Frank and Nelson Mandela, amongst other historical figures.

Themes: History | Non fiction | Anne Frank | Nelson Mandela | People and Places

A riveting, magical adventure set deep underneath a richly reimagined London for 9+ readers.

Themes: History | Science | Identity | Fantasy | Ghosts

Join Vetman, Imogen, Findlay and a whole cast of incredible bionic animals as they save animal companions everywhere from the evil plans of The Man With No Name – just in time for Christmas! An amazing animal adventure for readers aged 7-11 from Noel Fitzpatrick, Channel 4’s Supervet.

Themes: Animals | Nature | Adventure

Welcome to the Shop of Impossible Ice Creams! Step inside to discover a delicious world of magical adventure, from bestselling author Shane Hegarty. First in a comic, heart-warming illustrated series, for 7+ readers.

Theme: Comic | Humour | Family | Anxiety | Identity

A reassuring story about the love between a little girl and her grandma, with practical information to help young children understand dementia and the changes it can bring.

Themes: Dementia | Grandparents | Families | Memories

16-year-old Freya has her life turned upside down when she’s forced to swap summer in the Algarve for poo camp – a specialist camp for children with bowel disease.

A sharply funny YA debut showing us that when sh!t happens, it’s how you deal with it that matters. Download discussion questions here.

Themes: Hidden Disability Representation | Friendship | Overcoming Adversity | Identity

16-year-old Freya has her life turned upside down when she’s forced to swap summer in the Algarve for poo camp – a specialist camp for children with bowel disease.

A sharply funny YA debut showing us that when sh!t happens, it’s how you deal with it that matters.

Themes: Hidden Disability Representation | Friendship | Overcoming Adversity | Identity

When Koku accidentally unleashes an ancient demon, he must enter the magical world of Olori to claim his power. Full of action, magic, and eye-catching comic book-style illustrations, this 9+ series draws on West African mythology and is perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Percy Jackson, and Dragon Mountain.

This resource pack contains cross-curricular activites and discussion questions for use in the classroom or library reading group.

Themes: Belonging | West African Mythology | Magic | Friendship | Adventure Writing | Superpowers

Cressida Cowell has a passion for developing the creative intelligence of children and she believes that reading allows the reader to grow three superpowers: creativity, empathy and intelligence.

These classroom ideas are based around Cressida’s beloved 12-book How to Train Your Dragon series and are designed to inspire these superpowers by exploring children’s imagination and allowing their creativity to come to the fore.

Themes: Courage | Family | Creativity | Imagination | Empathy

A positive, empathetic and empowering ten-step guide to help children whose parents are splitting up. With expert insight and practical tips from child psychologist, Angharad Rudkin, this is an essential handbook for children aged 9+ coping with separation and divorce.

Themes: Divorce and Separation | Families | Managing Emotions

Celebrate Happy Birthday, Dog! by making your pet a pawsome birthday hat! Take a picture of your pet reading Happy Birthday, Dog! and modelling your pawty hat design by tagging @hachettekids with the hashtag #PetPawty.

Themes: Animals | Celebration

Set during the Battle of Britain in 1940, Dermot O’Leary’s brand new book, Wings of Glory, tells the story of the war effort from the point of view of the animal kingdom, in an accessible, child-friendly way with lots of action-adventure, humour and bird poo! Perfect for KS2 classrooms and those studying World War Two and the Battle of Britain.

Watch a video of Dermot reading an extract here: https://youtu.be/I6G8iuQD_Bg

Download our fun activity sheet pack, including quizzes, extracts, wordsearch and more here.

Themes: WW2, Battle of Britain | History | Courage | Animals

Uprooted from London to a sleepy English town, Cynthia finds herself caught between two brothers. When it turns out both boys have been keeping secrets from her, secrets that link back to the life Cynthia thought she had left behind in London, she realises that not everything is as it seems…

Themes: Race & Identity | Growing Up | Life Changes

Meet Justice Jones. Super-smart super-sleuth, with a flair for adventure! Can Justice solve the mysteries that take place at Highbury House School before it is too late? Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens, Enid Blyton and Katherine Woodfine.

Themes: The Second World War | The Phony War | Friendship and Family | Mystery

A dinosaur twist on the infamous ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ carol, this hilarious festive picture book is guaranteed to bring end of term fun and laughter to classes of all ages!

Count and sing along as the collection of festive dinosaurs grows and grows over the twelve days of Christmas. From one Santasaurus to five tinselled triceratopses to nine spinasauruses sparkling and beyond…

Themes: Christmas | Numeracy

In a land where your fate is decided before your twelfth birthday, Ember Shadows alone faces an unknown future. With a heart full of courage and a head full of inventions, Ember must traverse the enchanted realms of Mount Never in order to confront the mysterious fate-maker and save her sister’s life.

Themes: Fate | Family and Friendship | Creativity | Magic | Women in STEM

Watch the video series from author and primary school teacher Rebecca King here.

The powerful tale of a girl who feels broken, and the dolphin who makes her whole. A story of friendship, hope and self-discovery, perfect for readers aged 9+, and beautifully illustrated in black and white by George Ermos.

Themes: Neurodiversity | Friendship | Self Belief | The Power of Poetry & Art

An adventure-filled survival story set on a lush Cambodian island! Meet 12-year-old Lark, who finds herself ship-wrecked with no one but a baby gibbon for company. Can she survive storms, lack of food and jelly-fish infested waters and find her way home?

Themes: Environmentalism | Conversation | Courage

An uplifting rhyming story about dealing with worries and change, set in an exciting minibeast world, brought to life by Hollie Hughes and Nila Aye.

Themes: Nature | Problem Solving | Confidence | Minibeasts

The Gecko and the Echo is the flamboyantly funny new picture book about love, fame, friendship and how treating others with kindness makes the whole world a better and happier place. The latest rhyming tale from bestselling creators of The Lion Inside series, Rachel Bright and Jim Field. Bring the book to life with this sing-a-long song: Watch the Gecko and the Echo song here.

Themes: Friendship | Community and Kindness | Fame and Performing Arts