For schools
Islington schools are a key pillar in supporting reading for enjoyment in the community. Here you can find free, hand-picked resources from all Get Islington Reading partners to support creating a strong reading for pleasure culture.
Reading audit
We recommend starting with the Reading Audit to gage your school's strengths and challenges in reading for pleasure practice, then selecting resources that will support your areas for improvement. Four key themes we have identified in this audit are:
CONNECT: Creating community of readers
SHARE: Encouraging book talk and recommendations
EMPOWER: Supporting readers' independent choice of book
CELEBRATE: Providing fun and creative opportunities that promote confidence and enjoyment
Literacy resources
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Teaching resources
Access all of our resources for early years, primary and secondary school.Learn more -
Words for Life
Ages 0-12: search by age for fun family activities to help support your children’s literacy.Learn more -
Zone In
Age 13+: tips for young adults to boost reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.Learn more -
Virtual School Library
Free books, exclusive videos and recommended reads from top children's authors and illustratorsLearn more -
Islington libraries
Find your nearest library and sign up for free todayLearn more -
Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge platform is available all year round!Learn more -
Book of Hopes
Short stories, poems, essays and pictures from over 100 leading children's authors and illustratorsLearn more -
Running a virtual book group
Tips for ensuring reading brings fun, solace and escapism while children are socially distancingLearn more -
Penguin Lit in Colour
Supporting inclusive reading in schools with resources for primary and secondary teachersLearn more -
Reading Road Map
A reading initiative aimed to nurture reading for pleasure and help to improve literacy from KS1 to KS3Learn more -
Story Explorers Podcast
Story explorers from different primary schools interview, chat with and challenge top children's authorsLearn more -
Premier League Reading Stars
Inspire primary school children in everything from English to wellbeing and sport with free, curriculum-linked resourcesLearn more -
Chatter Books
Digital story time and rhyme packs for children aged 5-12Learn more -
Seed packet resource
Inspired by Sita Brahmachari's book 'Where the River Runs Gold'. Suitable for years 3-6 to support transition to secondary schoolLearn more -
Islington Stories
School resource packs developed by Islington Heritage ServiceLearn more
Recommended reads
Lots of these titles are available from Islington Libraries.
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Something new for 2021
Books to inspire children and young people to learn a new skill, support them during this hard time or to offer them a new adventure to escape intoLearn more -
Brilliant books by black authors and illustrators
65 brilliant books for children and young people, from birth to young adultLearn more -
Islington Great Reads
Titles for all ages recommended by Islington libraries, on exciting themes including banned books, pride and neurodiversityLearn more -
Reading Well
Book recommendations for children aged 7-11 to support their mental health and wellbeingLearn more -
THE 100 Caribbean Books That Made Us
A crowd-sourced canon from the Bocas Lit FestLearn more -
Refugee Week book list
Stories of inclusivity and resilience for ages 5-12Learn more -
Celebrate Pride Month
Pride and LGBTQ+ book lists for ages 0-16Learn more