Marianne Doherty

💡 What actions could government take to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure?

This is how our Co-CEO @anniecrombie.bsky.social responded when she was giving evidence at the Education Committee's #ReadingForPleasure inquiry today.

📺 Watch the full session here: https://bit.ly/4cpynwm

London! This Saturday! 🐭🐭
@waterstoneskids.bsky.social

Book cover for Boy Everywhere by A. M. Dassu.

I’m reading Boy Everywhere by A. M. Dassu which I’ve been slowly reading in pockets of time waiting for appointments etc. for a few weeks. But it feels all the more real and hard-hitting in the last few days. I suspect it’s one that’s a tougher read for adults than kids, but important for both.

We were just trying to explain fascism vs communism to the kids round the dinner table the other day and eventually said go read that Usborne politics book - it’ll explain it better than we can. Thank you to you and your colleagues for your efforts!

My brother was busy reading the politics in The Times. Meanwhile I was happy reading the doctors page in the Sunday Post.

I had no idea you wrote these. I think I’ve bought multiple copies of both for my kids, other folks’ kids and the school. Excellent work!

Even as an adult trying to model reading at DEAR time I found it almost impossible to concentrate on reading a novel knowing it was only for 15 mins. Non-fiction like DK and Usborne, and magazines like The Phoenix, What On Earth and The Week Junior absolutely make this more accessible for kids.

This is such an important point, not only for reading at home but also reading in school. For many readers (like me) getting started reading is half the battle. Comics, magazines and non-fiction are so much easier to pick up and have a go at reading. Particularly for short pockets of time.

This is exactly what works for my kids. Both with magazines and with fact books, which I try to purposefully leave within easy reach of the breakfast table. Both are so much easier to dip in and out of than a novel.

I cannot say enough good things about the 100 Things to Know About books. They are so well designed, really engaging and incredibly accessible. They’re also perfect for kids to pick up in class for DEAR time without having to try and get back into a story.

A colourful collage of book covers. Dark blue text on a green background says books we love in March.

Books we love in March 💙

Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers.

Here are our top picks this month 👇

https://bit.ly/487zIVT

Helen in Wonderland's London Marathon for BookTrust Help Helen Tamblyn-Saville raise money to support BookTrust

£22.78 to go to hit my fundraising target for BookTrust and a long run to do this morning. Can I get there before I get back? 🤔

www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...

#kidlituk

Sounds like you have a great week planned! Hope the kids have a great time.

#KidsBooksFriday

We are reading The Final Year at the moment and plan to create something with our Y6 children using Matt’s poetry and Joe’s illustration style. We have Bethan visiting the week after, and the Zeno Sworder book is a recent favourite I’ll be sharing 🙂

#KidsBooksFriday

What books will you add to this list?
#kidsbooksfriday

Oh that’s fab. Hope you have a brilliant day. Bet they’ll love Land of Roar.

@mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social was saying the same. If we can help teachers discover even just one new author this #WorldBookDay it could make such a difference.

#KidsBooksFriday

No class to share with now but my choices would be Danny Champion of the World (the first independent reader I chose when i finished the reading scheme), The Lion the Witch (so readable) and the Wardrobe and The Legend of Podkin One-Ear (fabulous last page) #KidsBooksFriday

Junior Book of the Month: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales by Lari Don We are a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to everyone in Scotland.

Last chance to win! #Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales is Scottish Book Trust's Book of the Month, and you only have until 11.59pm tomorrow to enter the competition to win a shiny copy full of magic & monsters!
www.scottishbooktrust.com/competitions...
@elisecillustration.com @discoverkelpies.bsky.social

Ooh I haven’t heard of that one. Definitely one to check out. Thanks for sharing.

I have no real idea of how book design works and who is involved in it, but I always massively appreciate the end result. Particularly with non-fiction, great book design can truly elevate a book. And particularly for dyslexic readers it can make all the difference for a readable, accessible book.

#WorldBookDay #KidsBooksFriday
These oldies and not-so-oldies will be on the menu next week

These both look brilliant!

2/2 #KidsBooksFriday #KidLit
Daisy Hirst's There Is Not Usually A Hole is full of drama and humour and courage and loyalty and friendship. Special mention for the worm's library. Magnificent.

1/2 #KidsBooksFriday #KidLit #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
I will be pressing into all relevant hands two new utterly delightful picture books

First up: Mary Murphy's Oh, Thank You! Joyful rhyming text, perfect for reading aloud, please-&-thankyou, gratitude & appreciation, though beautiful illustrations

I know I’d want to read about an angry feminist mouse with a sword and her gay frog prince best friend. But hey, I’m only the one buying all the books, not commissioning them, so what do I know!

#KidsBooksFriday

Ooh I didn’t realise it’s a series. Have the rest been translated?