Pride month: book-based literacy activities

Pride month, celebrated in June each year, provides a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion in schools.

We've worked with authors Harry Woodgate and Benjamin Dean to host storytelling events and develop literacy activities based on their books, mapped to the English curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. These resources aim to celebrate families and communities of all kinds.

Key Stage 1: Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate

Grandad's Camper celebrates love in all its forms, as Grandad tells his granddaughter about the adventures he used to have with Gramps. A long time ago, Grandad and Gramps spent many happy days travelling the world together in a camper van. But now Gramps isn't around any more, Grandad doesn't feel much like having adventures. As she listens to his wonderful stories, Grandad's granddaughter has an idea to cheer him up...

Scrapbook resource for Grandad's Camper

Download our Key Stage 1 scrapbook packed with book-response activities that aim to encourage reading for pleasure and personal response to reading, whilst also providing opportunities for pupils to write about their own experiences.

English curriculum links

• Reading for pleasure: develop pleasure in reading and motivation to read.
• Reader-response: link what pupils read to their own experiences.
• Writing composition: develop positive attitudes towards and stamina for writing by writing about personal experiences and those of others.

Key Stage 2: The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean

Benjamin Dean's new book The Secret Sunshine Project, is a life-affirming LGBTQ+ story full of love, kindness, courage…and rainbows. The story follows the adventures of Bea and Riley as they try to create their own parade in the countryside.

Scrapbook resources for The Secret Sunshine Project

Download our Key Stage 2 scrapbook packed with book-response activities to encourage reading for pleasure and personal response. This resource pack also provides the opportunity for pupils to enhance non-fiction writing and persuasive writing skills, through designing a leaflet to advertise their own Pride event.

English curriculum links

• Reading for pleasure: Develop pleasure in reading and motivation to read.
• Writing composition: selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary for effect.

Further resources

• Explore our LGBTQ+ book list that includes titles for ages 5 to 16. You'll find this in our Young Readers book lists which cover cover a wide range of themes and genres aimed at helping all children to feel represented and engaged in their reading.
• Learn more about the work we do to promote diversity through literacy.