If you’re like most parents, and you have just thought: how can there be only 48 hours until World Book Day 2024 and what on earth are they going to dress up as?!?
Take a look at Princess Flo, she’s a maths and science loving princess, who doesn’t want to be the queen when she grows up. She wants to be a great engineer!
Flo’s outfit is pretty easy to replicate, especially if you have either an old Elsa dress-up or a Cinderella outfit in the back of the kids’ wardrobe! Because really, it’s just a long blue dress and a pair of red wellies!
You could add a construction hat if you have one of those in the dress up box too. Chances are you’ll have a yellow one, and Flo’s is white; but we won’t tell anyone!
And if you also have a cape, and a sceptre, well Bob’s your auntie’s live in lover!
World Book Day doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on a costume.
Any blue dress would work just as well, like this:
I haven’t put any links on there – this isn’t any kind of sponsored post! I just did a quick google and found a couple of of reasonably priced dresses. But you might even have something suitable in the kids’ wardrobe already. There might even be a long sleeved T Shirt of your own that would double as a dress!
As an author I LOVE World Book Day. As a parent, it’s more a case of GAH!!! Helping our tiny humans with a World Book Day outfit can feel stressful; but it doesn’t have to be!
I really hope these suggestions have helped and as always, I would LOVE to see your pictures! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theachopsbooks/ or email me your photos to suze@theachopsbooks.com
Happy World Book Day everyone! Have a good one. And keep reading!
As World Book Day approaches on March 7th, I find myself thinking about the profound impact that reading has on our tiny humans.
So today, I want to talk about the importance of reading to and with babies and children. And why it’s beneficial for schools to invite authors into their classrooms to share the joy of storytelling.
Reading to kids is not just about entertaining them with colourful pictures and playful words.
It’s a gateway to a world of imagination, knowledge, and emotional development:
Building Bonds: Reading aloud to babies can create a special bond between the parent and child. The soothing rhythm of a story has a calming effect, and fosters a sense of security and attachment.
Language Development: Reading plays a huge in language development. Babies and toddlers who are read to regularly tend to have larger vocabularies and better language skills when they start school.
Cognitive Skills: Reading stimulates the brain and helps develop essential cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and problem-solving abilities. It lays the foundation for academic success later in life. There’s a reason teachers often say if you just do one thing at home with your kids; it’s read to them!
Imagination and Creativity: Stories have the ability to spark the imagination and ignite creativity in young minds. They transport children to magical worlds where anything is possible, which encourages them to dream big and feel inspired.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Books are powerful tools for teaching empathy and emotional intelligence. Through stories about other places and people, children learn to understand and relate to the feelings of others, which encourages compassion and kindness.
Critical Thinking: Reading encourages children to ask questions, make predictions, and draw conclusions. All critical thinking skills that are essential for navigating the complexities of the world.
Cultural Awareness: Exposure to diverse stories and characters promotes cultural awareness and understanding, helping children to develop respect for everyone.
Lifelong Love of Learning: When reading is associated with joy and wonder, children are more likely to continue reading for pleasure throughout their lives.
Just a few reasons eh?!
And so to World Book Day! One of the ways that schools can nurture a love of reading is by inviting authors into their classrooms.
Inspiration and Role Models: Meeting an author can inspire children to see themselves as writers and storytellers. It shows children that their own stories and ideas are valuable and worth sharing.
Connection to the Creative Process: Hearing an author talk about their own work provides an insight into the creative process behind the story. Children learn that books don’t magically appear on shelves but are the result of hard work, imagination, and dedication.
Interactive Learning Experience: Author visits can turn reading into a lively and interactive experience. Children have the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and engage with the story in a meaningful way. This is always one of the best parts of visiting a school as an author: kids can ask the most amazing questions!
Promotion of Literacy: Author visits reinforce the importance of literacy and reading for pleasure. This can create excitement around books and reading, motivating children to explore new stories and genres.
Reading is a superpower! Once a child can read, the world is their oyster! As an author, I think I have a responsibility to share my love of storytelling, and reading with the next generation. That’s why I love to I hear from primary school teachers enquiring about reading to their classes.
So let’s celebrate World Book Day by embracing the magic of reading and inspiring young minds to embark on their own literary adventures.
If you’re an Early Years or a KS1 teacher and you’d like to know more about booking me for a school visit, please email me at suze@thechopsbooks.com or read more here
Ahead of World Book Day on 7th March, and a week when as an author, my favourite thing to do is to go into schools and read to children, I thought you might like to know a little more about this author!
Tell us about your writing career to date.
I began writing in a blog when my daughter was little, as a way to get my thoughts about parenting out of my head – because as wonderful as parenting is, it can be tough right?! And it kind of progressed from there.
I’d written about the old fashioned nature of some classical fairy tales, and the out of date messages they send our children, and I had a go at rewriting one: I turned Cinderella into Ella and the iPhone, and at the end, when she’s reunited with her lost phone as the thumb print fits, she tells the prince that she just wants to be friends as she’s off to uni.
After that I began playing around with a few ideas, and Thea Chops Books was born.
What made equality & inclusivity so important to you?
Because it’s really important for all of us: all human beings deserve to be treated equally, fairly, and with respect. Once I started to see injustices in the world, I couldn’t unsee them. I knew I wanted to do something that would help create change.
How do you incorporate these themes into your books?
Hopefully with some humour! Mostly by choosing something, for example, the idea that what girls and boys like is determined by their gender, and challenging the ideas, in rhyme.
So, in my first book, ‘She’s Not Good for a Girl, She’s Just Good!’, the character of Frank tells Florence that girls are rubbish at sport, because that’s what his dad says. Florence challenges him and together they learn that you can be good at, and enjoy something, regardless of being a boy or a girl. Florence is good at some things, and Frank is good at others.
How can families introduce these themes into their children’s book collections?
Well, buying our books would be a great start! But also, a quick google of say, ‘kids’ books about equality’ will bring up a whole list of fabulous options.
Parents might think these themes are too mature for children – what’s your response to that?
Only if talked about in a non-age-appropriate way. How we discuss anything with a 2-year-old, is different to how we talk to an 8-year-old, or a 15-year-old. And kids are very literal, and accepting, so actually these conversations tend to be easier than we think.
When our old babysitter got married to her wife, my daughter commented that she looked like a princess in her dress. Then she asked me why her prince has long hair; and when I said she’s marrying another princess, because sometimes two women fall in love and choose to get married, my daughter, aged 2 1/2 replied, ‘okay’ and carried on watching the wedding. It was that simple a conversation.
Children are curious and bound to ask questions, how do you suggest parents and care givers respond? Do you have any good anecdotes?
When I first talked to my daughter about periods, the minute I used the word ‘egg’ she said, “Like a chicken?! Am I a chicken?!” it made us both laugh out loud. Even though through the laughter I managed to say, you’re not a chicken, we then clucked at each other for a bit, and I got the sense she wasn’t quite ready for the conversation.
The best way to respond, though, is honesty. And to keep it simple. Also pause after you’ve said something; don’t feel like you have to go into huge detail and explain it all in one go. If in the pause your child has another question, answer that one, but you might find that first response was enough, and they move onto something else.
But this is another reason why seeking out books is a great way to start these conversations. Other people have written about this for us! Reading with our children will either spark some questions, or provide a moment for you to ask, what did you think about that?
Favourite author writing in the same genre as you.
I love everything that Andrea Beaty does. I met her once at a reading in a local bookshop and totally fangirl-ed her!
So that’s a little about me – an author who would love to come to your primary school and read! If you’re a parent and you’re reading this please email your child’s school and ask them to get in touch with me at suze@theachopsbooks.com If you’re a teacher, and you’re still looking for an author for World Book Day 2024 or any other week of the year, please also drop me a line!
This interview was first published on the East Green Childcare Services website ahead of World Book Day in March 2023.
If you're using this day and the surrounding week to discuss mental welling with your pupils, we're sure you'll agree that books are a great way to start these conversations in the classroom (and at home!).
There are so many wonderful books by brilliant authors that talk about mental health in a very age appropriate way. But it won't come as any surprise that we would recommend our most recent book How Frank Helped Hank.
The key message is the importance of talking about how we feel, and not bottling up and battling on. It models the ELG of showing sensitivity to both one's own and other's needs. While giving children (& adults!) permission to cry without fear of mockery, thus supporting their mental health.
Frank's dad Hank, doesn't think boys should cry
This is a great moment to say, "oh I'm not sure I agree with that do you? What do you think? Is it okay to cry if you feel sad or hurt?" Asking if they can think of any reasons why Hank would think this, is a great segue in the next section of book where learn a little more about Hank's childhood.
Hank tells Frank he shouldn't like "girls' things"
All people should be allowed to live unapologetically as their true selves! One of the lines in the book is "for good mental health you should just be yourself". This is also a great opportunity to debunk the idea that there are toys for girls and toys for boys! Why shouldn't Frank choose a sparkly wand?!
Frank encourages his dad to show his feelings
This part of the story is a great time to talk about not keeping our feelings bottled up inside. Frank knows that letting it out and having a good cry is a great way to feel better. I also love that it's the child who is caring for and teaching the parent here. Kids will love that too! We an all help each out when we're sad!
If you're talking to your pupils this week about mental wellbeing, we'd love to hear about how you used How Frank Helped Hank, to support your teaching. Please leave a comment below, or come and find us on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
We're @theachopsbooks on all platforms.
Thea Chops Books
You can also buy How Frank Helped Hank on Amazon and via Peter's
Let me tell you about book readings. As a children’s author they are SO important. They allow me to actually talk to the tiny humans for whom I write.
And for the children, research (from the Society of Authors) has shown that 99.4% of schools who host an author visit said it was an invaluable experience that encouraged reading for pleasure, wider reading and creative writing.
So as a primary school teacher, how can you you book me for a school reading?
Very simply, please email me or fill in the contact form here
But if you’re wondering about how it all works, here’s a bit more info for you:
What will it cost?
For the majority of London postcodes the fee for a 2 hour visit (which allows for up to 3 readings, each lasting 30-40 minutes) is £175.
For schools which are further than 1 hour travel time from SE22, additional fees will apply.
Which school years would enjoy your books?
Reception and years 1 and 2 will enjoy all 3 rhyming story books.
Years 3 and 4 also, who will will enjoy discussions about equality and wellbeing.
What are the books about?
The Queen Engineer has a strong STEM element, and a female lead character, which works well with science (e.g. engineering, problem solving), design and technology (e.g. discussing how levers and forces work), as well as PSHE discussions about for example, resilience and perseverance, or knowing right from wrong.
How Frank Helped Hankcan facilitate discussions about feelings during transition periods, or anxiety around benchmarking or SATs times, or for the All About Me topic. It strongly promotes the importance of talking, for mental wellbeing during Children’s Mental Health Week and Mental Health Awareness Week.
She’s Not Good for a Girl, She’s Just Good!supports personal development along with acceptance of one another’s talents and skills. It’s great for June and July to discuss feelings around competition or the pressure associated with Sports Day.
So calling all key stage 1 and 2 teachers, and nursery teachers, and well all primary school teachers! If you’d like to book in for an author reading of any of our current books, please do get in touch.
“We can’t wait to have Suzanne back to read us her next book!”
Before children start school, they often believe that they are the centre of the universe! Some may never have been into a classroom or educational setting before, and this can be daunting. To ease their journey into education, when lesson planning, many teachers choose topics that kids are familiar with, and All About Me is often chosen first.
In our book, The Queen Engineer, Princess Florence has a very strong sense of who she is, what she enjoys, and who she wishes to be when she grows up. She's able to discuss her hopes and aspirations with a trusted adult, and in turn finds a way to discuss it with her father, the King. The King doesn't believe that girls should enjoy maths, or become scientists or engineers, which also opens up early discussions about equality, and out-dated gender specific roles. This can be used to encourage children to aspire to do (or be) something that they wish to do, even if they may have been told: that's not for girls/boys. The story supports the Early Learning Goal of managing self: it shows Florence as independent and resilient, and able to persevere in the face of a challenge. It models the importance of talking about your feelings and aspirations with an adult, while showing a child how to accept adults who are different to her.
How Frank Helped Hank is a wonderful book for referencing during many lessons and topics, and especially so during All About Me. The key message in this story, is the importance of talking about how we feel, and not bottling it up and battling on. It models the ELG of showing sensitivity to both their own and other's needs. All the while giving children and adults alike permission to cry without fear of mockery, thus supporting their mental health. It's a great text to encourage children to talk about themselves, their likes and dislikes, their feelings, and their family members, when they introduce themselves at the start of a new school year.
If you're planning the All About Me topic for an Early Years or Key Stage one lesson, we'd love to hear how you used either The Queen Engineer, or How Frank Helped Hank, to support your teaching. Please leave a comment below, or come and find us on Instagram or Twitter.
Man up. What does ‘man up’ even mean anyway? Be more like a man? Are men creatures who don’t get upset? Don’t feel? Don’t want to have a good cry sometimes?
Remember at the start of Love, Actually when Liam Neeson’s character is crying a lot , because his wife had died. And Emma Thompson’s character says to him: Get a grip, people hate sissies. No-one’s ever going to shag you if you cry all the time. Remember that?
Love Actually came out in 2003; time when I admit I viewed the world very differently to how I do today. Then I would definitely have told my male friends to ‘man up’ or not to ‘cry like a girl’. I had no idea of the cumulative impact phrases like this have on men and boys. No idea about the horrendous male suicide rates (75 per week according to ONS figures for 2020). But that line in the film stood out because I think even then I thought, bit harsh, he’s just lost his wife. But we all laughed anyway.
I wonder if that film would be in any way different, if it was made today? I wonder if Emma Thompson would give Liam a copy of our book, How Frank Helped Hank, and say, “Let it out, have a cry, don’t keep it inside, It will help you feel better, you’ll see.” I wrote about an Instagram post by Scarlett Curtis a while back saying that Martine McCutcheon never was, isn’t now, never has been fat, as the character of Natalie was repeatedly referred to in the movie. Again I wonder if that would be any different if made today? I digress. In short, let’s stop saying ‘man up’ shall we? We want our boys to grow up to become men who aren’t afraid to have feelings and share them, rather than bottle it all up like a ‘real man’ would.
As many of you will already know, over the last couple of months we've been busy crowdfunding, to raise £5,000 so we can gift 1,000 copies of our latest book, How Frank Helped Hank, to UK primary schools.
I almost can't belive I get to type this, but we did it! We raised over £5,000 via Boys Cry Too: Let's Change the Message. And this means we can now gift those 1,000 copies of our award-winning book, to key stage one classrooms, around the UK. And change the messages that children receive. Because it's ok not to be ok. It's ok for boys to cry too. And the best first step to feeling better is to talk about it.
If you're a primary school reading this, and you haven't emailed us yet then please do ASAP and let us know if you'd like a copy.
This year World Book Day is on Thursday 7th March. Now there aren’t many of us who would challenge how important books and reading are for children! But I know lots of parents probably think of it as a day when they have to spend money on a random dress up outfit; that won’t fit in a year’s time. In fact the wonderful Scummy Mummies once called it, World Amazon Prime Day! I imagine Jeff does do rather well in the week leading up to WBD as parents across the land (well, globe) scramble to get that prime order in at the last minute!
In fact, WBD is a wonderful charity with a mission to to ensure that every child has a book of their own. Research by the National Literacy Trust in 2017 found that 1 in 11 UK children do not have a book of their own at home, and this rises to 1 in 8 for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Director of the NLT, Jonathan Douglas said, “that book ownership in this country is really strongly linked to literacy issues and social mobility.” He went on to discuss that children who don’t own books are less likely to have positive experiences of reading, less likely to do well at school, less likely to send emails or read websites, and thus grow up with a disadvantage in the modern world.
To combat this, the World Book Day charity send millions of book tokens (almost 15 million!) to children and young people in the UK. And of course, to add a fun element and encourage children to read more, and to celebrate books, authors and illustrators, children get to dress up as their favourite book character, and share their book with their classmates! And this is when parents go, ahhhh!!
So! with that in mind we came up with a few easy ideas to dress up as the wonderful Florence from our books.
All it takes is a striped dress and a pair of white sneakers!
Or if you fancy dressing up as Florence when she’s all grown up and is The Queen Engineer, all you need is any blue dress (last years’ Cinderella, Elsa (or even Matilda), and a pair of red wellies and a construction hat!
Whoever and whatever your children dress up as this World Book Day, please do all enjoy it, and enjoy reading your favourite books. And remember: a book is for life not just World Book Day!!
Please note: none of the brands mentioned have in any way sponsored or endorsed this post. They are not affiliate links and this is not an AD.
