Mr. H

I didn’t know there was a prequel funnily enough. Thank you, too

The Strap Box Flyer is a winner in my 5/6 classes. Brilliant story

Yes, I was due to do a notable mentions and that would’ve included Tales of Terror. Interestingly, it’s not the first time I’ve heard “The Wrong Train” mentioned but I do not own in. That will change. I also hear lots about Dave Shelton’s “Thirteen Chairs” but I am unfamiliar with this too.

Thank you for these! I love the Kevin Crossley-Holland myths. A few you’ve suggested that I’ll have to check out.

What are your favourite short story collections? #Kidlit #KidLitUK #ReadingForPleasure #Education @smithsmm.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @teacherglitter.bsky.social @karlduke8.bsky.social @thereaderteacher.bsky.social @one-to-read.bsky.social @jamesblakelobbb.bsky.social

Finally, “Read, Scream Repeat” is Jennifer Killick’s brilliantly curated set of spooky stories, featuring fantastic authors: Kirsty Applebaum, Joseph Coelho and Elle McNicoll (to name a few). You do not want to miss these.

Favourites include:

The Pond
Wolf Moon

Terrifying

Next up, Ross Montgomery’s Christmas Dinner of Souls. A deliciously scary collection of short stories centred around a kitchen boy at Soul’s College, serving food to the guests as they tell terrifying tales on Christmas Eve.

Favourites include:

The Beast

Horrifying.

Starting with the crème de la crème of short story writers: Paul Jennings. “Unpredictable Tales” is a collection of 13 of his best that can be read in any order.

Favourites include:

Only Gilt
The Strap Box Flyer
There’s No Such Thing

Incredible.

Short stories are brilliant. They make excellent class reads and the children love them.

Also, they’re great tools for getting out of a jam.

Class book finished with a week to go?
Need a story for transition day?
Lesson gone to pot?

Here’s my top 3 short story collections…

Dasher, How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? and Kid Christmas I know. They are excellent. The other three I need to explore

Music makes such a difference to my day. Myself and my Y6 colleague will often select a playlist and mark books in the same classroom at the end of a day. We call this a “marking party” although a party it is not 😂

Today is Tina Tuesday.

Can I also say, I forgot just how good @dereklandy.bsky.social’s Skulduggery Pleasant books are. I am enjoying book one all over again.

The audiobooks are EXCELLENT too. Rupert Degas does such a good job.

Our book corner, now complete with WW2 recommendations. I’ve snuck in a basket of Christmas books too for those children already feeling a little festive.

Yes! Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen are possibly the best duo since Henry and Bergkamp

A recent favourite of mine

I’ve recommended book one to a girl in my class and she is loving it! She’ll be pleased to know another is on the way.

I used mine for a drive to London the other day. It suggested a route that I initially ignored and then it rerouted to the way that I had chosen and it shaved 20 minutes off the arrival time.

Long story short, I use one of these now…

Today, Buzzard Class voted for their new class read and it is none other than…@kieranlarwood.bsky.social’s “The Legend of Podkin One Ear”

A terrific book. Two chapters in already and lots of chat about the world and characters created by Kieran.

A perfect read in the lead up to Bramblemas!