other resources

The results of a web search can be overwhelming. We hope these selected links will be helpful. Search our organisations and projects directory for further details or visit places to go for story-based outings.

The national gallery are currently running an exhibition called Out of Art and Into Literacy, an exhibition showcasing primary pupils’ storytelling inspired by the National Gallery collection.

teacher resources

A Progression for using Oral Storytelling and Storymaking to improve writing

With careful planning, storytelling work can directly support the specific language skills that need to be learned throughout the school year. Produced by Carol Satterthwaite, this document is based on Pie Corbett’s ‘Storytelling and Storymaking’ approach, which is part of the Primary National Strategy’s ‘Talk for Writing’ materials.  It has been produced to support the teaching and learning of oral storytelling and its development into writing and is based on an earlier document produced by the following schools: Miriam Lord, Atlas, Westbourne and Bowling Park primaries.

author and illustrator visits

Authors Abroad coordinates author visits

Children’s Discovery Centre organises author workshop and visits

Speaking of Books suggests and arranges leading authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers

Contact an Author is a free search mechanism to help you find the author you need

How to make the most of the visit

Or read Our Thoughts are Bees: Writers Working with Schools from Wordplay Press which works with schools to bring poetry to young people

storyteller visits and storytellers-in-residence

Crick Crack Club, storytelling promoter and programmer

other creative practitioners and artists-in-residence

Artscape, national directory for arts in education

Creative Partnerships fosters partnerships between schools and creative professionals

writers-in-residence

First Story brings novelists into challenging secondary schools in London and Oxford but plans to operate nationally

New Writing South organises a range of creative learning programmes in the south-east

Pirandello is New Writing South's database of authors in the south-east

storytelling websites

Story Arts, 70 retellings of folktales

Tim Sheppard, storytelling links for storytellers

creative writing websites

Everybody writes, inspirations from creative writing

Group Thing, online creative community

school libraries

The School Library Association supports everyone involved with school libraries

reading recommendations for children and teenagers

Booktrust, for adults and children of all ages

Book Ahead, books for ages 0-7

The Federation of Children's Book Groups, children and teenagers

Reading for Life, reading and other word-fun ideas

Books for reluctant or struggling readers

The National Literacy Trust, for more reading recommendation sites

Cool reads, book reviews by 10-15 year olds

Teenage books, selected by Booktrust

Great Books to Read Aloud, Jacqueline Wilson or visit Great Books to Read Aloud, age 0 to 11.

Ultimate First Book Guide 0-8, Daniel Hahn

The Rough Guide to Children's Books 5-11 years, Nicholas Tucker

The Ultimate Book Guide 8-12, Daniel Hahn

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, Julia Eccleshare

The Rough Guide to Books for Teenagers, Nicholas Tucker & Julia Eccleshare

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide, Daniel Hahn et al

reading for teachers

The Rights of the Reader, Daniel Pennac

Teachers as Readers: Building Communities of Readers, report from the UK Literacy Association on a national study of the personal and professional reading habits of primary teachers