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Embrace the Magic of Reading on World Book Day
Opinion · Teachers

Embrace the Magic of Reading on World Book Day

Featured Suzanne Hemming

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Cultural Awareness: Exposure to diverse stories and characters promotes cultural awareness and understanding, helping children to develop respect for everyone.
  8. 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.

Suzanne Hemming children's author at a school book reading
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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

World Book Day: Meet the Author
Events · Teachers

World Book Day: Meet the Author

Featured Suzanne Hemming

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.

Enhancing Literacy at KS1: The Impact of Author Visits
Events · Teachers

Enhancing Literacy at KS1: The Impact of Author Visits

Featured admin

As World Book Day is fast approaching, let’s delve into the significance of reading at Key Stage 1, and talk about the benefits of author visits in schools. We know that the impact goes beyond the pages of a book, providing a valuable boost to encourage children to read.

The Importance of Book Reading at KS1

If you’re a primary school teacher reading this blog post, you already know that reading is a fundamental skill, that lays the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. At KS1, children are in a crucial stage of development, where literacy skills are rapidly evolving. Book reading plays a pivotal role in honing language proficiency, expanding vocabulary, and fostering comprehension skills. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve heard teachers say, if you just do one thing, read!

The question is, how can we maximise the impact of reading in the early years? One effective strategy is to introduce students to real-life authors through school visits. And by authors, I mean me!

Author Visits: A Practical Approach

The presence of an author in the school setting adds a practical dimension to the learning experience. Instead of just encountering words on a page, pupils have the opportunity to engage with the creator of those words. This interaction can demystify the writing process and make literature more relatable for young minds. When I read in schools it’s such a joy to hear children tell me about the stories they write, or want to write, after a book reading!

Authors can bring a unique perspective to storytelling, offering insights into their creative process and the inspiration behind their works. This firsthand exposure can really enhance a child’s appreciation for literature. And provides them with the idea that writing can be a career choice.

Boosting Engagement on World Book Day

World Book Day presents an ideal occasion to organise author visits. It’s not just about dressing up as favourite characters (which is a lot of fun!), but it’s an opportunity to connect with the individuals behind the stories. An author’s visit on this day can serve as a catalyst for increased interest in reading, making the celebration more meaningful for students.

The impact of author visits on reading engagement at KS1 is definitely something to think about! These visits provide a practical and relatable dimension to the world of literature, fostering a deeper connection between students and the written word. A visit from an author can contribute significantly to the development of a generation of enthusiastic and lifelong readers.

So! Why not book a visit from an author today – preferably me! We’re talking about booking me here right?! Good we’re on the same page!

Just drop me an email at suze@theachopsbooks.com

See you in the classroom!

Suzanne Hemming children's author at a school book reading

World Mental Health Day – How to Use How Frank Helped Hank to talk about mental wellbeing
Teachers

World Mental Health Day – How to Use How Frank Helped Hank to talk about mental wellbeing

admin

World Mental Health Day 2023 is on 10th October.

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

All About Me Lesson Topic
Teachers

All About Me Lesson Topic

admin

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.

We're @theachopsbooks on both platforms. 

 

Thea Chops Books