If there is a silver bullet for ordinary, everyday childhood happiness, it is reading for pleasure.
Children read for joy; for jokes they can steal; to have anchors in turbulent water and company when they hide silently behind the bins at break; to find friendship and respect when it’s not on offer elsewhere; and to become empowered within their own thoughtfulness when the world otherwise renders them powerless.
Katherine Rundell.
As a child, one gift I was always guaranteed to receive was some form of book! Of course, my bedroom shelves were jam packed with books anyway, but there was an unspoken expectation that the collection of literary gems would be added to every year.
This is not something we can assume is true for every child, but as teachers, we can still bring the magic of reading to the children in our care.
When we shouted out a few weeks ago for children’s books to be donated to Derby Book Festival appeal, our staff and schools did not let us down. 8 boxes off books dropped off to be given new homes to, for children in Derby City who do not have bookshelves full of books as I did. A job well done!
Much has been written about giving the gift of reading to someone this Christmas.
I particularly liked this article from The Sunday Times by Ben Spencer about how childhood shared reading experiences shape us more than we realise. I share some of his insights here.
https://link.thetimes.co.uk/view/68efb181670c616c450ff5ae69149b502d4a0017b56d4676/7f4d5e6b
“The shared reading experience, even before a baby can speak, helps them learn structure and predictability. Reading together, particularly if done at the same time each day, sitting on a parent’s lap as breathing and heart rate slows and falls into a calm, ordered rhythm, is a deeply bonding experience, achieving something a television or a mobile phone never could”.
Ben Spencer
Everyday Reading:
I have also recently come across a website, which I wished I had discovered whilst in the classroom. https://everyday-reading.com/
This resource recommends books under different categories and I attach a selection of the book lists below.
One particular joy (which I will be partaking in with my felt tips at home!) is the Christmas Reading Advent Calendar, which sets fun challenges to take on every day of December. These include ‘drink hot cocoa while you read’, ‘read a book about Christmas trees’ and ‘facetime grandparents and share a book together’.
These would be lovely ideas to share with your classes or your own children.
Books for Topics Resources.
Another great resource is Books for Topics where interactive booklists are provided on themes/ times of the year/ curriculum themes and subjects.
https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/seasonal-events/christmas/
They also produce Branching out Booklists – which are brilliant! They provide recommendations of reading material which is similar to another author eg: If you like Julia Donaldson then read…
These would be great to send out to parents or put up in the classroom. https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/branching-out/
Jolabokaflod, or ‘The Christmas Book Flood’.
In Iceland, they have a tradition there called Jolabokaflod, or ‘The Christmas Book Flood’, where around November time every household is sent a book catalogue and people order books as gifts for family and friends. Then, on Christmas Eve, when it’s traditional to exchange presents, people stay in to read their new book.
This tradition began during World War II once Iceland had gained its independence for Denmark in 1944. Paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, so Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were short supply. This increase in giving books as presents reinforced Iceland’s culture as a nation of bookaholics.
This sounds like a perfect way to spent Christmas Eve to me, especially if accompanied by a mulled wine or hot toddy!
The National Literacy Trust has produced a superb resource to encourage this tradition in school.
If you are still to be convinced about the power of reading, watch this from Joseph Coelho.
Blog written by Jo Gotheridge 25 .11.25
Thank you for sharing! Some great links. One of the things I missed most of all, when working as a full time class teacher, was never having enough time to curl up on the settee with a good book.
I love to read a proper book too, rather than books on my Kindle. However, my Kindle is great for when I’m going away on holiday. No more worrying in case you’ve exceeded the luggage allowance with all your books!
Ooh yes and I like a kindle so I can read in the middle of the night too! I prided myself on a beautiful bookshelf and corner in my classrooms. We should start a Claire’s book group!