School Literacy Network

This week is the Great Big Green Week so today for Primary Book Picks we are asking you to share 'a book that sparks discussion about the environment'. Let us know in the comments🌳🌊💬

Last time we asked for books children recommended to each other and it was a quiet week but some great series were mentioned:
Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart, published by DFB Phoenix
Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby, published by Puffin
Isadora Moon by Harriet Muncaster, published by OUP Oxford

If you haven't already, you can download free teaching resources from The Great Big Green Week website - head to The Climate Coalition to find out more.

I wonder who inspired the latest SLN look 🤔 🧢

Our next Network Meeting special guest, the brilliant MC Grammar, will be joining us to share how music, rhythm and rhyme can help children engage with reading creatively.

This CPD session focuses on practical and inspiring ways to build a love of reading in and outside the classroom. The Rebel Reading Society will also be joining us to talk about rediscovering the excitment of books

Book today and join us on 6 or 7 July 🔗

We love this series of picture books, written by Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola, featuring the main character Rocket 🚀

Speak Up! explores Rocket using her voice to support something important to her, the local library 💛

SLN have a whole school planning resource based around this quality text including engaging activities and writing plans for all primary key stages. Using this resource throughout your school allows pupils to have an additional text in common helping to build the reading community in your setting. Head to our resources page to download 🔗

📷Image of a copy of the book 'Speak Up!' by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola, published by Puffin (imprint of Penguin Random House).

It's Discover Your Library Day 📚
This National Year of Reading don't miss out on using your local library to support you to build a love of reading in your class.

Most libraries offer school visits, special teacher library cards and many more free services for everyone. Find your local library using LibraryOn 🗺

We are proud to be a part of Libraries Unlimited and see first hand the power of libraries to enrich communities.

The Reading Agency
CILIP

What's coming up next at the School Literacy Network?

💻Join us at our Great Depth Handwriting at KS2 training and/or at our next network meeting - find out more, and book your places, here: schoollitnet.org.uk/training
📄Brand new resources are continuing to be added to our digital resource library - see the newest here: schoollitnet.org.uk/resources
🏆The winners of our 2026 poetry competition will be announced.

If you aren't a member yet sign up and download free sample resources to find out how we can support you in your classroom.

Want a free, easy-to-use resource to support reading for pleasure? Read on➡️

Peer recommendations can really help boost children's reading for pleasure, and improve adults book knowledge (see our previous post to share books that are recommended in your class).

We are working with Tiverton Library on their Tiverton Reads Together project, funded by Devon Community Foundation. As part of the project the library has purchased additional books, focusing on titles and topics children regularly requested. This has ensured children could find books that interested them and helped to create a talkative reading community. We are proud to be partners on this project and enjoy supporting all member schools to build a reading for pleasure culture.

Why not start with our Bookmarks and Reading Requests resource? Designed to spark whole-school book talk - this resource is included in our Basic membership resource choices so everyone can download this resource for FREE today. Head to our website to sign up 💻

This week, for Primary Book Picks, we'd like to know your pick for 'a book that children recommend to their friends'. Peer recommendations are a simple but powerful way to boost reading for pleasure. 📚💛

Last week we shared books that we read again and again, partly because we all know the power of repetition but also as these brilliant books are fun to read. Swipe to see our round up featuring:
Oi Frog by Kes Gray and Jim Field
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
You Choose by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart

Comment below with the title and author of your choice(s) for this week's prompt. We can't wait to hear your recommendations.

Members can catch up with last week's network meeting anytime. Find all our training videos in one place: schoollitnet.org.uk/resources/?product_cat=86&currPage=1

Not a member yet? Sign up to Basic membership for free to watch one of our network meeting CPD sessions and see how SLN can support you to deliver excellent English teaching. 💻

This week we've been sharing books that pupils love to read again and again, so we couldn't forget the ever popular You Choose series by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt.

These books give wonderful opportunities to be creative, develop language, support speech and most importantly have fun.

For EYFS teachers, SLN have a full unit plan based around the classic first book, You Choose. Through work in this unit, pupils will have fun discussions, practise gross and fine motor skills through choosing warms ups and consider what they would choose to be when they grow up.

Download and find out more on our resources page, link in bio.