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

Growing up

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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Every Little Hippo Can branded progress chart

Every Little Hippo Can – Progress Chart

Topic: English, Growing up

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: Every Little Hippo Can

From the creators of the bestselling Giraffes Can’t Dance comes an empowering story about a little hippo who discovers that success often requires a little patience, and simply TRYING can bring its own unexpected rewards. This progress chart rewards children for practising life skills and for persevering.

Themes: Perseverance| The ‘power of yet’ | Growth mindset | Families |

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Black Stories Matter – Activity Sheet

Topic: Growing up, History, Non-Fiction, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity, Sports

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: Black Stories Matter: Amazing Artists

Book Creator: J.P. Miller

Discover inspiring black men and women through history, from artists to inventors, in this beautifully illustrated biography collection. Black Stories Matter feature biographies of famous and inspiring black people, celebrating their lives and achievements, and seeing how they’ve made a difference to change the world we live in. The books are ideal for readers aged 9 and above.

Themes: Race & Identity | History |

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Topic: Empathy, Growing up, LGBTQ+, Life changes, Mental Health, Non-Fiction, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Related Book: How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing!

Book Creator: Dr. Ranj Singh

Filled with easy-to-understand explanations, down-to-earth advice and cheeky illustrations, this growing-up guide by trusted paediatrician Dr Ranj is perfect for boys aged 10+ who want to discover the confidence to be the very best version of themselves.

Themes: Gender and Identity | Growing up | Mental Health and Body Confidence | Developing Healthy Relationships

Black Brother, Black Brother – Discussion Questions

Topic: English, Growing up, Race & identity

Age Range: 11-14, 14+

Related Book: Black Brother, Black Brother

Book Creator: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Black Brother, Black Brother is a powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers – one who presents as white, the other as Black – and the ways they are forced to navigate a world that doesn’t treat them equally.

From the bestselling author of Ghost Boys, Jewell Parker Rhodes, this is another poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today’s world.

Themes: Race | Injustice | Family relationships | Coming-of-age

Watch a video from the author here.

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Wash Your Hands Mr Panda – Activity Sheets

Topic: English, Growing up, Life changes, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: Wash Your Hands, Mr Panda

Book Creator: Steve Antony

Join Mr Panda and friends as they learn all about handwashing, sneeze catching and other good hygiene practices.

With a lightness of tone and a gentle humour throughout, this new book in the ever-popular MR PANDA series is perfect for helping little ones to stay safe in a today’s world. A must-have for all bookshelves.

Themes: Hygiene | Manners | Early Learning Life Skills

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A Tricky Kind of Magic – Teaching Notes

Topic: Art, Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: A Tricky Kind of Magic

Book Creator: Nigel Baines

An action-packed graphic novel about finding magic when you need it the most, filled with humour and heart.

Themes: Grief | Humour | Graphic Novel

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The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure book and activity sheets

The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Growing up

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure

The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure explores the much-loved Magic Faraway Tree at the most special time of the year. This brand-new story written by superstar author Jacqueline Wilson is set in the original world created by Enid Blyton.

Themes: Family | Friendship| Christmas | Festive | Classic children’s book characters

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