A recording made on International Book Day of Joseph Coehlo reading a bedtime story.

https://youtu.be/YdLv4y-aPyU

National Literacy Trust has Tony Ross reading ‘I don’t want to wash my hands!’ and a free e-book offer:

https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/birth-4/watch-i-dont-want-to-wash-my-hands-and-get-a-free-little-princess-book/

Little Angel Theatre Company special performance of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBJmp1c3XIQ&t=71s

Steve Antony reading from his Mr Panda series: https://www.steveantony.com/storytime

Winnie the Witch stories on the Oxford Owl YouTube channel, including readings by Korky Paul himself (in a wizard’s hat): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCllFxIfCNYQvsRepWxT7n8A/search?query=winnie

Free eBooks!

Everybody Worries by John Bergerman, a picture book written for children about worries:

https://en.calameo.com/read/000777721945cfe5bb9cc?authid=Xu9pcOzU3TQx

Winnie and Wilbur Stay at Home by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul:

https://en.calameo.com/read/000777721fa99e30b70f0?authid=7dNZAolx0j6O

Scottish Booktrust has videos of their author events with some fantastic authors including Marjorie Blackman, Kwame Alexander, Anthony Horowitz, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Patrick Ness and Joseph Coehlo.

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors-live-on-demand

If you are looking for ideas for books, CILIP has created a series of films of librarians and writers recommending a wonderful range of diverse children’s books. We are keeping an eye out for some gems for the school library!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPUIqlJM0aieXdq-LxKDvWA​

You can find lots of authors reading their work on social media, which is a very special way to enjoy their work (although it doesn’t replace you reading to them).

Storyline Online – Stories read by authors

Story Nory – Audio stories with script – Y3 and above

Update from April 9:

Free online books and videos, plus games and quizzs from The Book Trust 

Read Together with The Book Depository

Library Directory – astronauts reading from the International Space Station

The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities

These authors are reading a little bit every day from Monday 23rd March:

Oliver Jeffers is reading one of his books every day on Instagram live at 6pm UK time and then the recordings are available on his website.

Cressida Cowell is reading How to Train Your Dragon, one chapter a day from Monday 23rd.

Ross Montgomery (author of ‘Christmas Dinner of Souls’ who visited Y5 before Christmas)

The links below are to audiobooks, videos of authors reading their books and lots of activities.

​The Family Zone has been especially set up by the National Literacy Trust to offer some fun to children and grown-ups staying at home. It has lots of free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos, competitions and reading challenges.

Audible is offering children’s audiobooks for free during this time.

There are lots of ideas and links to authors’ online events on the Booktrust website:

The wonderful Michael Rosen is also on YouTube.

Draw alongside an author illustrator on the CLPE (Centre for Primary Literacy Education) YouTube channel.

Some of Mrs Baldwin’s favourites on Spotify are these stories read by Ann Rachlin; they are set to classical music:

Sinbad and the Wizard Eagle

Swan Lake (the story of the ballet)

Sleeping Beauty (the story of the ballet)

The Firebird (the story of the ballet)

As a school we want all our children to discover the huge benefits that come from reading for pleasure – benefits that reach far beyond the classroom, such as good mental health and well-being and a better understanding of the people and world around us.

We have launched the Lyndhurst Library Project to create an appealing, welcoming and calm space in our school, where our children can explore exciting, good quality books and enjoy reading for pleasure.

The library will also be used as a quiet, calm and private space where children who struggle with reading, or just haven’t found the right book yet, can enjoy a book of their own free choice without the pressure that can sometimes be felt in the classroom.

The rooms will also be used as private spaces for learning support, provided as 1:1 or in small groups.

We were really excited to open the doors to the school library for Book Week, as planned. The children have absolutely loved exploring the new room, relaxing on the beanbags and cushions, kicking back in the hut and under the tree, sharing books and simply enjoying their new space.

We are now excitedly planning the next phase of the project, which is a collaboration with the Acorn Book Club to make the library an even more magical place for our children to enjoy reading for pleasure. Watch this space!

There are a number of ways in which you can support the project. Here are some ideas: