Read with Julia

Just keep it simple

I went to stay with my mum in Liverpool during the May half-term. We talked – a lot. One of our conversations was about my YouTube channel and the videos I’d been quietly creating and posting in the hope of encouraging families to read together and to help adults support children in learning to read and write. My mum was an infant teacher for all of her working life. She had watched a few of my videos and, when I asked if she had any advice for me, she replied,

“Just keep it simple.”

Cast your bread upon the waters…

I was reminded of this bible verse at our dear friend, John Britton’s funeral on 13th February 2025 at Margam Crematorium in Wales. His pastor, who was leading the service, shared a story from his final visit to see John in Penarth’s hospice. During their time together, he had asked for advice and John had encouraged him with these words:

“Cast your bread upon the waters…”

_{^{Ecclesiastes 11:1}}

John Britton (20th July 1941 – 9th January 2025)

Wait a minute, Mr Postman!

As a subscriber to the Children’s Poetry Summit, I enjoy receiving regular introductions to poets through their blog. Last week, children’s poet and author, A. F. Harrold, shared his happy habit of sending poetry postcards.

As I began reading the article, my heart sank when I saw,

‘I know the age of the letter is dead and gone, but…‘

“Oh no, A.H. Harrold!” I gasped, “Oh no, it isn’t! It really isn’t!“

The reply I wrote last week to my eight year old penpal.
(My ‘office’ = Emma’s old bedroom!)

Let me tell you about the seeds I’ve been sowing for a letter-writing revival…

Fight the good fight

When my last headteacher asked me why I had decided to decline the invitation to reapply for my job in 2022, I respectfully told her,

“I have some fight left, but not for this.”

‘Theirs not to make reply/ Theirs not to reason why…’

I inwardly wince when I hear the phrase ‘it is what it is’. Its unquestioning use in schools is the reason I dislike it so intensely. Let me give you an example…

“I’m bored, Mummy.”

The Treasure of a Lively Inquiring Mind

I enjoy reading biographies best of all.

‘D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years 1899 – 1939’ by Iain H. Murray

I recently read Volume 1 of Iain Murray’s biography of Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Murray describes ‘the Doctor’ as a prolific reader and records Lloyd-Jones speaking about the motivation behind his reading:

‘”I have always believed,” he once said, “that the business of reading is to make one think, to stimulate…”‘

I couldn’t agree more.

‘The Whales’ Song’ by Dyan Sheldon and Gary Blythe

Have you experienced the poignant power of picturebooks?

Can I give you a window into my world?

Are you sitting comfortably?

Online Teaching in Alternative Provision

I am currently working for an Alternative Provision agency on a zero hour contract. I teach children and young people who are unable to manage the demands of mainstream schools.

Most of the sessions are online, some of the children and young people have received funding from their local authority for 5 hours of online teaching, Monday to Friday. My assignments have included supporting a teenage student with funding for online provision for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. There are challenges, but I am determined to do what I can.