Southwark Library has a free eBook and eAudiobook service – https://www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries/elibrary/ebooks-and-eaudiobooks

Remember to take a look at Lyndhurst’s Story Corner as well: [link to Story Corner].

There are lots of read-aloud clips on YouTube. Just type in ‘read-aloud’ or ‘read along’ and the name of an author or book! 

The BBC School Radio site has lots of audio stories and animations for 4 – 11 year olds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/audio-stories/zh3t2sg

The CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) has a playlist on YouTube; you can listen to the author reading their book and then draw a character alongside.

Authors reading:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtPjIfGAyJxRik7kNvW4Jc5rnad2nx7r

Drawing: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtPjIfGAyJzSDhrcKrXdBWy7LgpQ2Kar

Rob Biddulph, the children’s author and illustrator, has published lots of draw-along videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBpgrJijMpk_pyp9uTbxLdg

​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.

Have a look at the National Literacy Trust’s beautiful, free eBook, The Book of Hopes, which has contributions by many authors and is edited by Katherine Rundell: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/9-12/book-hopes/

Oxford Owl has a large, free eBook library and storyteller videos:

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page/

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/storyteller-videos/

CILIP (the UK’s library and information association) YouTube channel has published lots of clips of authors talking about and reading their work:

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

You can find lots of stories read aloud at Storyline Online.

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

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/fun-at-home-with-authors-and-illustrators/

Library Directory – astronauts reading from the International Space Station!

Audiobooks are a fantastic way for your children to develop their reading and literacy skills as well as to have some quiet time away from a screen.

Audible is offering lots of children’s audiobooks for free during this time, in English and in other languages.

You could also try Storynory: https://www.storynory.com/ and Spotify (search for ‘children audiobooks’). 

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: