Tag Archives: Shared Reading

“Miss, you don’t smile anymore.”

Probably the most constructive classroom observation I ever received came from the lips of an 8 year old. If my memory serves me correctly, her name was Hannah and she would have been 8 when she joined my Year 4 class in September 1992. I must have been roughly halfway through my first year asContinue reading ““Miss, you don’t smile anymore.””

Just keep it simple

I believe Quentin Blake’s ‘Mrs Armitage on Wheels’ has some valuable lessons to teach us…

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 hadContinue reading “Cast your bread upon the waters…”

‘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 onlineContinue reading “Online Teaching in Alternative Provision”

Let reading come alive in 2025!

As we enter 2025, my desire to bring families and communities together through shared reading is as strong as ever. I’m still on a quest for clarity of direction. I’m still seeking a future where young and old bond through books, where relationships are strengthened through shared reading, where obstacles to literacy are removed, and where reading becomes irresistible.

BookTrust and Waterstones New Children’s Laureate for 2024-2026: Frank Cottrell-Boyce

It’s been an exciting week: Frank Cottrell-Boyce was appointed as the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate on Tuesday, followed by a new UK government and a new MP for North Herefordshire on Thursday! These changes feel like a breath of fresh air from where I’m standing.

Has learning to read in 2024 become a chore and a bore?

Saturday 29th June marked the end of my ‘Read with Julia’ pilot project at Ledbury Community Hub. If you look at the numbers, it wasn’t a rip-roaring success – but it’s given me plenty of food for thought…

Shared Reading at Ledbury Community Hub

In April, I visited Ledbury Community Hub for a pot of peppermint tea and I met Nic, the hub leader. We talked about his vision for the hub, opportunities for me as a volunteer… and he kindly offered me use of the space for four, free, drop-in reading sessions for local children and families.