Leanne

The books that make me me! When I reflect on the many books I loved as a child, these are the ones that stand out to me, although it took me some time to narrow it down! What surprises me the most is that when I mention some of these, people have never heard of them, yet to me, they are such important core memories. I guess that really shows how much books can affect you - they’ve stayed with me over the last 30 years because they really meant something to me 🤍 Have you read any of these? Which books shaped your childhood? #childhoodreads #books #childrensbooks #memories #readingforpleasure

Is there anything more wonderful than when your own kids say they want a book they can read by themselves because ‘mummy always reads books so I want to’ 🤍🤍🤍 My kids know that no matter what they can always have a book (and they definitely use this to their advantage 🤪) but its just one of those ‘proud mum’ moments 🤍 We recently bought Rudy and the Forbidden Lake and I absolutely adore the illustrations in it!!! My 5 year old is loving it! The characters are so cool and it’s exactly his cup of tea! What a perfect first independent read ⭐️ @authorpaul2020 #childrensbooks #readingforpleasure #nationalyearofreading #getkidsreadingbooks #childrensfiction

Recently in school we had the fabulous @annemillerbooks to talk about her new book Monster Diaries: The cyclops and the worst party ever! The children told me they loved hearing Anne chat to them about her book, and I’ve seen copies of it all over school as children have been reading it and bringing pages they have loved to show me! Anyone else get that giddy feeling when you’re about to read a new book? Just me? Okay 🤪😂 Well that is how I feel about reading Anne’s book! Huge thanks to @wonderlandbookshop for organising 🤍

🚨 Packages incoming @what_emmy_read @samhopesocial and @readwithmrssmith ! 🚨 You said you were up for some reading and raving about Doughnut Club by @krahimwrites and @nosycrow so let’s see what you have got! ❤️ We want all the positive reading vibes and don’t forget you will be getting some funky shades from @wendy_notjusttravel to keep you safe and looking fresh in the sun! 🤜🏼📚🤛🏽 #therebelreadingsociety #teamwork #readingravers #letsgo

When Helen from @wonderlandbookshop recommends a book you know it will be good, but I didn’t expect to love it THIS MUCH! Oh Birdie and Mr Duke - what a gorgeous story full of empathy, kindness and love. This is such a beautifully wholesome story 🤍 I also have a soft spot for Mr Walter and Aunt Mabel - I particularly loved Aunt Mabel’s fierce speech towards the rest of the village towards the end of the book! @jprosewriter thank you for a truly gorgeous read 🤍 #birdie #pitpony #childrensbook #middlegrade #fictiob

Do you know what I think I love the most about Love That Dog? How it shows the impact that author visits can have on children. Jack is over the moon when Walter Dean Myers visits, and you can feel how much it means to him. It makes me very proud as a teacher and English lead that I can offer children experiences like these, because they truly do mean the world. Like Jack, when you find a piece of writing that just clicks with you, the world suddenly makes sense. I love poetry and prose for this 🤍 the arts make us human 🤍 And yes, the fabulous yellow dog reminded me very much of my own beloved slobbering golden retriever that I was lucky enough to have many years ago now. Dogs are better than people right? P.S couldn’t resist not getting a photo with Max, he’s looking at me like ‘Are you kidding me - more like love that Ragdoll!!!’ Yes, we love a daft fluffy ragdoll too Max!! #childrensbooks #readingforpleasure #lovethatdog #authorvisists @creechauthor

It has taken me WEEKS to be able to post this, as every time I I have tried to borrow it so I could bring it home to take a photo, it has been swiftly snapped up by my class as their next read (and is there anything more wonderful than that really??) My class love poetry by @joshuaseigal - everything about his books just draws them in - the humour, the illustrations, the words themselves! We are so lucky to have many of his books in school, and they are ones I’m always on the look out for as they need replacing as they’ve been read so much!!! We’re having just a boost in a love of poetry and long may it continue! #poetry #childrenspoetry #nationalyearofreading2026 #getkidsreading #books

When your nails match the book cover perfectly 💅💜 This was such a nostalgia trip for me, as I absolutely LOVED the Charlie Bone series as a child! I remember that excitement of waiting for the next book, and that’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. As a child, I remember being completely immersed in these worlds, so much so that I was devastated when the book ended and I had to wait for the next one, and I find I don’t seem to have that same experience with adults books? Maybe I just prefer children’s books (obviously!) It was so fun to jump back into the world of endowments, secrets and good vs evil, and I thoroughly enjoyed my reread. I can absolutely see what the younger me enjoyed - I would’ve loved to have gone to Bloors Academy, to have an endowment or to have been part of the fight for good! I haven’t seen these books around for a while, but to me they have such a warm feeling of childlike joy. #childrensliterature #readingforpleasure #kidsbooks #books #reading

I finished this half an hour ago and I’ve just sat, staring into space, thinking about it ever since. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I think I’m struggling to find the words as it has had such a powerful effect on me. The language and the plot are so clever and thoughtful, and I feel like writing it in verse was simply perfect as it allows the emotion to be entwined within the language. The illustrations are beautiful, and I love the use of colour against the black and white. If anyone ever says ‘adults shouldn’t read children’s books’, present them with this and watch them crumble with the emotion. Grief has been a key feature in my life for the past couple of years, and one, thankfully, I haven’t had a lot of prior experience with. This book has been extremely comforting and offered me an explanation, an insight, a sense of hope, and I feel like I’ll always be grateful for that. I feel like I’ve given a rubbish, vague overview there, but it’s not that, it’s just I’m struggling to find the words to say thank you to @eilishfisherwriting this has become one of my favourite books of all time. Wow.

Lately I felt like everything was telling me to reread Skellig. It seems to have popped up everywhere so I decided enough was enough, and I did! Wow. I had forgotten how much this book can make you feel. As a mum now, I found myself relating so much to the parents, and that side of the story brought so many emotions to light. I felt myself empathising with the parents so much, and the love within this family was so clear to me. The part that stuck with me this time, is when Michael feels like he can feel the baby’s heartbeat within his own - what a beautiful idea. What a beautiful book to remind us of the power of kindness, and to remind us to do the right thing. I’m so glad I went back for a reread. #goallin2026 #skellig #nationalyearofreading #childrensbooks #childrensclassics

Anyone else get excited to teach a new book because you know how much the children will love it? This is me with Tales from the Caribbean by Trish Cooke! I LOVE a traditional tale and this was a brand new collection to me that I hadn’t seen before! The front cover is just gorgeous, and it’s compiled of folk tales from different countries, some familiar and some I’d never heard of - yet they were all written so beautifully and I could imagine the instantly! I’ve recently been introduced to Canva (where has this been my entire teaching life? Why am I always behind on things like this 😂) and I’ve really enjoyed putting together my lesson plans for this amazing book! Highly recommend if you’re looking for an alternative set of traditional tales! @trishcookewriter #traditionaltales #childrensstories #childrensbooks #folkstories #readingforpleasure

This is our current bedtime story! My mum bought this for my son as an Easter present as she knew I’ve got a love for Shakespeare! This is such a lovely, child friendly adaptation and the best part is that it’s HILARIOUS. There are countless poo gags to keep my son giggling throughout, and it is written in a style that I just know children will love. I recommended it to @ellareads.books as I definitely think Y3/4/upwards would really engage with it! Looking forward to another chapter tonight 🧡 @katethescribe #childrensliterature #childrensbooks #nationalyearofreading2026 #kidsbooks #kidsbookswelove