Find fantastic free resources and discover new books from award-winning authors

Growing up

Squirells - school resources image

The Squirrels Who Squabbled – KS1 Activity Sheets

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: The Squirrels Who Squabbled

Book Creator: Rachel Bright, Jim Field

Two greedy squirrels learn the importance of working together and sharing.

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The Koala Who Could – KS1 Activity Sheets

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: The Koala Who Could

Book Creator: Rachel Bright, Jim Field

A funny, rhyming story about embracing change and overcoming worries.

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The Lion Inside – KS1 Activity Sheets

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: The Lion Inside Board Book

Book Creator: Rachel Bright, Jim Field

The bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and finding your roar.

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The Letter With the Golden Stamp – Teaching Resources

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: The Letter with the Golden Stamp

Book Creator: Onjali Q. Raúf

Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.

Themes: Child carers | Empathy | Kindness | Community | Passion | Friendshipo | Family

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The Falling Boy – Teaching Resources

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes

Age Range: 11-14

Related Book: The Falling Boy

Book Creator: David Almond

From the award-winning author of Skellig comes a new story of hope, friendship and conquering your fears.

Nothing is the same this summer. With Joff’s father ill and his mother working, he can’t wait to escape each day, but when his adventures take him to the Chapel of Doom, he uncovers something unexpected, something truly magical.

This timeless coming-of-age story is supported by curriculum-linked activities and display materials.

Themes: Coming of age | Back to school | Family | Illness

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The Recruit - Hachette Schools resources image

The Recruit (CHERUB) Teaching Resources

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Modern Classic

Age Range: 11-14, 14+

Related Book: CHERUB: The Recruit

Book Creator: Robert Muchamore

The Recruit is the first book in the popular CHERUB series by Robert Muchamore. It’s an action-packed tale, raising questions about bullying, violence and the morality of acting for the safety of a large number of people at a disadvantage to a smaller number of individuals. It also raises questions about the exploitation of the environment and people in order to provide affordable resources.

Themes: Characters and settings | Adventure | Plot | Language and style

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How To Shine at Primary School – Display Materials

Topic: Empathy, Growing up, Mental Health, Non-Fiction, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: How to Shine at Primary School

How to Shine at Primary School is the ultimate positive guide to primary school from educator and TikTok sensation Mr Kit Brown. A bumper pack of classroom resources with display materials and worksheets including how to set shine goals and positive quotes to make your classroom SHINE!

Themes: Positivity| Resilience | Mental Health | Primary School

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The Hidden Story of Estie Noor – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Growing up, Life changes, Race & identity

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Book Creator: Nadine Aisha Jassat

How do you tell a story no one wants to hear? A page-turning mystery and quest for the truth, exploring race, identity and the power of your voice, from acclaimed writer Nadine Aisha Jassat. Perfect for KS2 readers.

Themes: Mystery | Truth | Identity | Friendship | Community

Hear a reading from the author here.

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One Day At A Time activity sheet and book

One Day At A Time

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: One Day at a Time

Book Creator: Rachel Ip, Natelle Quek

One Day At A Time is a sensitive and reassuring story about dealing with divorce and separation, teaching readers 3+ that even the biggest changes in life get easier, and happiness can grow again, if you take it one day at a time . . . 

Themes: Families | Divorce | Separation | Change

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The Tree That Sang to Me – Teaching Notes

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 7-11

Book Creator: Serena Molloy

A dyslexia-friendly verse story of hope, belonging and finding sanctuary in a difficult world, from the author of Wider than the Sea, Serena Molloy. Perfect for fans of A Kind of Spark.

Themes: Hope | Belonging | Friendship | Family | Finding Sanctuary

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Artezans – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Growing up, Modern Classic

Age Range: 7-11

Book Creator: L.D. Lapinski

From middle-grade powerhouse L. D. Lapinski, comes an epic new series about a world where magic is fading and the extraordinary twins that might just bring it back.

Themes: Dreams & Nightmares | Magic & Fantasy | Finding Your Strength | Scottish Myths & Folktales

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be awesome go big

Be Awesome Go Big Transition Pack

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, Non-Fiction, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Related Book: You Are Awesome

Book Creator: Matthew Syed

Be Awesome, Go Big is a package to help Year 6 students transition into Year 7. It can be used by students and parents at home or in school with teachers in class. It is designed to be motivational, helpful and reassuring and to help young people feel valued, loved, encouraged and equipped for the journey ahead.

A project from PiXL Club and Hachette Children’s Group.

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