I'm starting Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen with my class later this week. It's a fantastic read-aloud, reminiscent of The Day of the Triffids. Takes a few weeks to read but the pupils always get very emotionally involved. What's your first class book this year?

Being part of the team who put together the @empathylabuk.bsky.social Read for Empathy collection is always a pleasure. This year's list is out on Thu 5th Feb and one of the strongest yet. Do explore the previous collections and sign up for more information. empathylab.uk

This is exciting! Authors Kelly Yang (Front Desk series) and Kate DiCamillo (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane) are co-hosting a new weekly podcast called StoryKind. The first episode comes out on Monday 19th January and will be available on the usual platforms.

I'm confident that Riley Wright is Always Wrong by @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social will be a huge hit when it's released later this year. Lovable characters and hilarious school-based situations, written in a diary style. Ideal for Y3/4. Lots of fun and highly recommended. @farshorebooks.bsky.social

With the National Year of Reading now here, a few people have asked if I'm running the online 'Building a Classroom Reading Community' session again. Doing it twice, on Sun 11th Jan and on Mon 12th Jan. Sun 11th Jan eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977168230... Mon 12th Jan eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977168128...

I was a huge fan of Illegal and Global, the previous graphic novel collaborations between Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano, so was very excited to hear about their next book, War. Out in August. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

I really have no idea how I missed Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence when it first came out. It's one of the finest verse novels I've ever read. A love-letter to the power of poetry, and a storyline that secondary school pupils will definitely relate to. Track down a copy!

It's almost impossible to choose a favourite children's book from 2025 as there have been so many great ones published but, if pushed, what would yours be? These would be very high on my list. I'll add the suggestions to my bookshop.org page. uk.bookshop.org/lists/best-c...

Just finished The Lion's Run by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social and it's every bit as good as I hoped. Loved the courageous characters and the fast-moving plot. Also learned a lot about the horrific Lebensborn program. A story that leaves readers with much to dwell on. Year 6 and up.

With the National Year of Reading approaching, a few people have asked if I'll be running the online 'Building a Classroom Reading Culture' session again. Will be doing it twice, on Sun 11th Jan at 11:30am and on Mon 12th Jan at 3:45pm. Link below: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jon-biddle...

Our school rock band (average age 9) performed Last Christmas by Wham! to the rest of the school this morning. Imagine Radiohead crossed with early Joy Division. It was awesome.

Do take a look at these 'This Boy Reads' packs from @scholasticuk.bsky.social. Four packs per age group (adventure, funny, inspiring and non-fiction). They're already 40% off, but if you order now, they're even cheaper. And they're definitely not just for boys! shop.scholastic.co.uk/this-boy-reads

This is special! Monsters, written by Stéphane Servant, illustrated by Nicolas Zouliamis and translated by Sarah Ardizzone, is out in March. It's very atmospheric and reminds me of Thornhill by Pam Smy. A perfect blend of novel and graphic storytelling. Ideal for Y5/6. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

Over the past couple of years, I've enjoyed putting together RfP book packs for @pandorabooks.bsky.social. A lot of thought and care went into the selections, and I think they make excellent 'starter packs'. They've recently been updated and are available here: www.pandorabooks.co.uk/jon-biddle-r...

Enjoyed sharing these three picturebooks about plastic pollution in the ocean with my class this afternoon. They loved exploring similarities and differences between the books, and were genuinely outraged when they learned about the impact plastic is having on marine life.

With the National Year of Reading approaching, a few people have asked if I'll be running the 'Building a Classroom Reading Culture' session again. Doing it twice, on Sat 12th Jan at 10:00am and on Mon 14th Jan at 3:45pm. Link below. www.eventbrite.com/o/9833318748

Pax, by Sara Pennypacker, is one of my favourite children's books from the past ten years. I can't even begin to articulate how excited I am to read The Lions' Run. Updates to follow.

If you're after a Christmas picturebook that will be adored from Reception to Year 6, you can't go wrong with How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. Funny, surreal and extremely entertaining.

Do consider getting involved with the Young Poet Laureate programme, organised by @literacy-trust.bsky.social . It's an exciting way to champion young poetic voices and really raise the profile of poetry in schools. More information here: literacytrust.org.uk/programmes/y...

Joint No. 17 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “Nightmare Jones” by #SharonBramer & #CindyDerby. A deliciously dark compendium of verse, witches, ghosts, and grotesque art that feels like a lost classic. Poetry + haunting illustrations = pure spooky magic. #PicturebookPage @jonnybid.bsky.social one for U

Each week, our Year 5/6 Reading Buddies go and read empathy-rich picturebooks and talk about empathy with pupils in EYFS and KS1. Between them, they've created a bank of 20 questions to use as a starting point. Please feel free to download from my Padlet. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

At the @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference today, with a great lineup of speakers. @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social @amdassu.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social #EmpathyEducation #ReadingForPleasure

Do sign up for the @literacy-trust.bsky.social Young Poet's Week online masterclasses, featuring Zohab Zee Zhan and Laura Mucha for KS2 (24th November), and Karl Nova and Nikita Gill for KS3 (25th November). A great way to raise the profile of poetry in schools. literacytrust.org.uk/programmes/y...

Do join us on Tuesday for this free seminar www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/write-to-r... it’ll be useful! @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @debrakidd.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @jonny-walker.bsky.social @raesnape.bsky.social @primarychamp.bsky.social @benniekara.bsky.social please share! All welcome!

The schools and early years offer for the National Year of Reading has been released. The links to the @literacy-trust.bsky.social videos are below. EYFS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8YH... Primary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw8X... Secondary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpLQ... Please share widely.

Do join us at this free research and practice seminar www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/write-to-r... @jonnybid.bsky.social @edfinch.bsky.social @firststory.bsky.social @minilebowski.bsky.social

A few here, Jon.

I've got lots of amazing picturebooks about the oceans but now looking for a couple more. Any recommendations gratefully received!

Not to be missed/not long to book: *Reconstructing Reading: translating research into powerful practice* Hear from Timothy Shanahan, Jan Hasbrouck, Young-Suk Grace Kim, Kate Cain, Kate Nation & more. See video below for full lineup. Full info/bookings: literacytrust.org.uk/events/recon...

This morning, I had a conversation with my Y6 class about mobile phones which lasted far longer than intended. Many admitted they were on them almost constantly when not in school and talked about feeling addicted. We all know this anyway but it was a frightening confirmation.

I've enjoyed all of Kirsty Applebaum's previous novels but this is my favourite so far. Atmospheric and perfectly constructed with cleverly overlapping storylines. As well as having a wonderful plot, it explores bullying and peer pressure. Ideal for Y5/6. @nosycrow.bsky.social

Just made a few tweaks to my overview for a weekly picturebook assembly which focuses on empathy, inclusion and diversity. Please feel free to use and adapt. The link is on my Padlet, along with lots of other resources: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

Reading Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick with my Y5/6 class is always an absolute pleasure. Not a single word is wasted! Six lines in and we're already straight into the action. Such a talented writer and such a sad loss.

If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @scholasticuk.bsky.social have just launched a great new deal. Their Graphic Novel Book Box is updated every term with ten new graphic novels and loads of bonus posters and bookmarks. Link here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...

If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @scholasticuk.bsky.social have just launched a great new deal. Their Graphic Novel Book Box is updated every term with ten new graphic novels and loads of bonus posters and bookmarks. Link here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...

The @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference on Thu 27th Nov is going to be superb. The links between reading and empathy are very powerful. Fantastic speakers, including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and @amdassu.bsky.social. More info here: empathylab.uk/raising-gene...

I love a children's author who knows their Greek mythology and Annelise Gray clearly does. The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam is a fantastic adventure story, full of action and drama, but with plenty of quieter and more reflective moments too. It's a great read for Year 5/6.

A great way to celebrate poetry in schools! The Young Poet Laureate Programme kicks off with the first Young Poets Week during the week of 24th Nov. Free online sessions for KS2/KS3 pupils plus free resources. Thank you @literacy-trust.bsky.social. Info here: literacytrust.org.uk/programmes/y...

This is really sad news. Knights Of are exactly the kind of publisher that the children's book world needs. www.thebookseller.com/news/indepen...

The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...

Have spent the day reading some of the books shortlisted for the @empathylabuk.bsky.social Read for Empathy collection. It always inspires me. So many wonderful things can happen in a classroom when you use the right story or poem.

The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...

Michael Rosen Day is happening on Thursday 13th November! If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you do. There's a free live @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social event, a poetry competition and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay www.michaelrosen.co.uk/michaelrosen...

Michael Rosen Day is happening on Thursday 13th November! If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you do. There's a free live @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social event, a poetry competition and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay www.michaelrosen.co.uk/michaelrosen...

Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social

Anyone know where we're actually up to this term? Week 15? Week 38? Week 467?

Everyone working in primary schools wants to raise standards in reading. For me, the best starting point is Primary Reading Simplified by @suchmo83.bsky.social. It's superb and covers everything, with phonics, fluency, comprehension and RfP all being explored.

This is happening tomorrow afternoon (3:45pm). I'll be talking about ways we've given poetry a higher profile in my school and @joshuaseigal.bsky.social will be sharing his life as a children's poet, as well as performing some of his work. Grab a cup of coffee and join us!

If you're free for an hour on Monday, do come along! @joshuaseigal.bsky.social is always worth listening to.