Reading for pleasure articles

Creating an environment that promotes inclusivity and diversity at home and in the classroom is incredibly important, but how can we do this? A great place to start is with one of the oldest and most powerful tools for opening minds there is – books!

Our children's generation have the opportunity to change the world for the better, becoming guardians of our planet and promoting equity and social justice. Help them understand the role they will play in protecting people and environment and show them that every one of us can make a difference with this selection of inspiring, positive kids' books about activism and activists.

Biographies and autobiographies bring the lives of influential people to life for young children, highlighting the role exceptional individuals have played in our shared history. Introduce your child to the world's greatest artists, activists, scientists, inventors and humanitarians with books aimed at every age group. Each biography and autobiography is bursting with anecdotes, imagery and information, sure to inspire young people to follow their own dreams and aspirations.

Classic literature is reimagined, updated, revisited and reinterpreted in each of these brilliant retellings, which expand on traditional tales or use comic-strip illustrations or modern settings to make brilliant stories accessible to a new generation of readers.

Can you scare your friends silly with a spooky story? Are you a master of suspense and a lover of all things supernatural? Learn how to keep readers on the edge of their seat with a terrifying tale with writing tips from Phil Hickes, author of the spine-tingling Aveline Jones series for readers aged 9+.

There have been many books written about the Holocaust, both by people who experienced it and other writers. Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher, has selected ten titles suitable for primary school children to give an insight into this period of history.

Dyslexic children can be discouraged from reading by their perceived lack of ability. How can you help them feel more confident and enjoy their reading time? We offer some useful tips for boosting confidence and thinking more positively.

Develop your child's creativity – and yours! – by telling and sharing stories. Performance storyteller John Kirk offers a few expert tips to help you make an ordinary retelling of a traditional tale memorable and magical.

Help your child master kitchen skills that’ll set them up for life with these brilliant cookbooks for every age. From cookery basics to elaborate bakes, they’ll enjoy getting stuck into a whole range of family-friendly recipes.

Great ideas for keeping your child engaged with reading and broadening their taste in books.

Empower your child to make a difference with our pick of the best children's books about the environment. From plastic pollution to climate change and the work of activists and campaigners, we highlight the best reads for young eco-warriors.

Bring your child's favourite stories to life with a trip to Seven Stories in Newcastle upon Tyne, a haven for book- and story-lovers of all ages. Jo Dunbar visited with her sons William, age 5, and James, 3.

Diversity in books is important for children of all cultures and ethnicities. We asked children’s author Chitra Soundar how representation can change children's experience of books and reading and enrich their life.

Are you ready to enter some magical new worlds, exploring the depths of the sea, dark forests, ancient civilisations and weird and wonderful landscapes? On your travels you're sure to meet some strange characters, lots of brave heroes and heroines and a few sinister creatures wrecking havoc... It's time to head somewhere far, far away for roller-coaster adventures with our pick of the best fantasy world books for primary school children.

Whatever your child’s age, reading together at bedtime is the perfect way to bring the day to a close. We’ve rounded up 11 great reasons to make it a priority – every night.

Writing book reviews can help your child engage more deeply with what they're reading, find their next favourite series or author and develop their writing skills. Georgina Atwell, founder of kids' book review website Toppsta, offers her tips for helping your child share their love of reading with other bookworms.

Comics, graphic novels, Marvel, DC... a world that children know lots about, even more than many adults! Primary school teacher and children's literature enthusiast Scott Evans takes us on a tour of his favourite kids' books for comic-lovers.

As crime and thrillers fill the adult shelves of most bookshops, it is no wonder that this genre for children is going from strength to strength. Immerse yourself in clue-hunting and who-dunnit sleuthing with this choice of classic and magical mysteries from primary school teacher and children's literature reviewer Scott Evans.

Is your child fascinated by the world around them? Amazed by the wonders of flora, fauna and human achievement? This bumper selection of non-fiction books is packed with information about the strangest, scariest, silliest and most spectacular aspects of our world. Be prepared: you'll have a pint-sized trivia expert dominating dinner-table discussions for years to come!