Share a story this May!
May is National Share a Story Month. It is a celebration of stories and reading that promotes reading to children and young people and celebrates how powerful storytelling can be. The theme for 2022 is Belonging. This theme is so important to storytelling because it allows children and young people to connect with the story, whether it be with characters, the setting, similar experiences, or the themes explored in the story. In previous blogs we have explored how we can use books to start difficult conversations about worldwide events, or how we can nurture future readers through changing our personal habits.
I have put together a selection of texts around this year’s theme of Belonging for children and young people to enjoy in each year group from EYFS all the way up to KS3 and Young Adult.
EYFS
- The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
- Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffmann
- This Zoo is Not For You by Ross Collins
KS1
- The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
- Grandad’s Secret Giant by David Litchfield
- Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Scott Magoon
LKS2
- Teacup by Rebecca Young and Matt Ottley
- You Belong Here by MH Clark
- You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
- Azzi In Between by Sara Garland
UKS2
- The Wonderling by Mira Bartok
- Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
- The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
- Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
KS3 & Young Adult
- Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson
- I, Emma Freke by Elizabeth Atkinson
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randel Abdel-Fattah
- Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer De Leon
I hope you have found this selection of texts useful as a starting point to explore this year’s theme of Belonging. So this month (and every month) let’s celebrate powerful stories and encourage children and young people to read for pleasure and build a love of reading that lasts a whole lifetime. If you would like further support on how to celebrate National Share a Story Month, please feel free to contact myself laura.lodge@oneeducation.co.uk or Jo Gray jo.gray@oneeducation.co.uk.
Join Jo Gray and Karl Duke at A Book Led Curriculum: Designing a magical learning journey for your school on the 26th May 2022 to harness the power of storytelling and use books to drive, shape and lead the whole school curriculum.
Email events@oneeducation.co.uk for more information and to book your place.
