Rethink Your Fear of the Blank Page
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The Phenomenon of Reading
Do we need another literary phenomenon to get children and young people reading again?
The Habit of Reading – The Secret
Do you recognise the man reading the book? If not, read on… If so, you might be wondering what’s he got to do with reading habits. I lost 5lbs This morning, I stepped on the scale and was delighted to see I’d lost 5lbs. Finally! FINALLY! It felt like things were starting to work again.…
The Habit of Reading Part Three
You know when you get new trainers, you suddenly feel like you’re a gym warrior or marathon runner? The result being that you actually go to said gym (or on a run). And when you get there, you’re really glad you did. There’s the cardio section and the weights section and the playlist has all…
The Habit of Reading Part Two
We all have good and bad habits. We all know children have some really gross habits. Believe me, as an ex-teacher, I like to think I’ve seen them all. Often as a child, one healthy habit is being read to at bedtime. Getting all snuggled up under the covers. Torches or nightlights on. But as…
The Habit of Reading Part One
What Google Said Google ‘parent reading with child’ or ‘child reading with parent’ and you’ll see mostly younger children sat next to their parent or on their parents lap or tucked up in bed, book in hand, sharing a story. The search results don’t offer up an older child reading with their parents. Like it’s…
5 Days and 3 Ways To Build Your Child’s Reading Habit
Day One I’ve said it before. Reading rates amongst children and young people aged 8 to 18 are in decline. Stubbornly so. If you’re a parent of an Alpha-Gen child (meaning under 12 – Primary aged in 2022), particularly between the ages of 8-11, less and less children – possibly yours – are reading for…
The Sad Story of Reading
And why it’s time to write a happier ending It’s your fault. Wait, what? It’s your fault that children don’t enjoy reading anymore. No, it’s not. Shut up. (*Throws book*) And my child loves reading… The children in our school come in and read every morning… We always read a class novel… But if rates…
Illustrated – Part II
Last week, Darran Holmes, the illustrator of my forthcoming middle-grade novel The Earth Chronciles: Hannah & the Hollow Tree spoke about great artists who had inspired him. This week Darran discusses his work for Weta – the design and effects giant – whilst working for Peter Jackson on Lord of the Rings and how he begins his creative…
Illustrated – Part I
As an author, our job is to world build with words, relying hugely on a reader’s ability to use their imaginations to do the colouring in, so to speak. But in order to grab the reader’s attention for them to pick up your book or click on a thumbnail and be intrigued enough to make…
Reading, Books & the Power of Story
Reading amongst children and young people is still in decline. As a former teacher and author, I want to be part of solution to changing that…
