School Literacy Network

15/10/2026

Welcome to our new weekly book focus: The SLN Bookshelf. We will be featuring a selection of new and forthcoming children’s books that we think are genuinely worth schools knowing about. 📚

This week we would like to highlight these recently released titles ➡️

I Will Haunt This
By Viviane Schwarz, illustrated by Chris Riddell
Ages 4–7 - Picture book - Published 24 September 2026 by Walker Books
When a little ghost’s vase is broken, it must search for somewhere new to haunt and encounters a girl who needs encouragement too. Schwarz’s poetic storytelling and Riddell’s characterful illustrations create a gentle, comforting exploration of friendship, creativity and finding somewhere to belong. An especially lovely autumn read-aloud that is spooky without being frightening.

The Messenger
By Lyndsay Roberts Rayne
Ages 7–11 - Wordless picture book - Published 24 September 2026 by Bloomsbury
This striking visual narrative follows Nell from the peace of a rural farm to training as a First World War messenger dog and ultimately to the trenches. Told through powerful, film-like illustrations, it offers older primary readers rich opportunities for inference, discussion and historical exploration. A moving book about loyalty, courage and the roles animals have been forced to play in human conflict.

Witchy Boo: Casts Her First Spell
By Arden Jones, illustrated by Saoirse Lou
Ages 5–7 - Illustrated chapter book - Published 3 September 2026 by Puffin
Boo is a ghost who would rather make people smile than frighten them. When a witch’s hat reveals her unexpected magical abilities, she begins to discover that she need not conform to anyone else’s idea of what a ghost should be. Short chapters, an accessible layout and warm two-colour illustrations make this an inviting early independent read, with a reassuring message about self-acceptance and finding your own kind of magic.

Ghost and Toast: Slice to Meet You!
By Phil Corbett
Ages 7–11 - Graphic novel - Published 10 September 2026 by Picadilly Press
Ghost cannot remember how he arrived in a haunted mansion, but his search for answers is enlivened by Toast, a relentlessly cheerful talking slice of bread, and complicated by a thoroughly villainous croissant. Bold artwork, uncluttered panels and gloriously surreal humour make this highly accessible, but its inventive visual storytelling gives more experienced graphic-novel readers plenty to enjoy too.

Follow us to see more book recommendations selected especially for schools 📖

14/10/2026

In our latest blog we explore new National Literacy Trust research highlighting the link between reading confidence and wellbeing, and consider how schools can help every child feel they belong in a reading community.

Research from National Literacy Trust explores the relationship between reading and wellbeing, drawing on responses from more than 52,000 children and young people aged 8–18. Reading confidence showed the strongest relationship with wellbeing among the reading measures examined: 84.3% of confident readers reported high wellbeing, compared with 58.2% of those who lacked confidence.

Continue reading our thoughts and practical tips here: https://schoollitnet.org.uk/general/helping-children-feel-confident-as-readers/

12/10/2026

“If you aren’t using shared writing in its different forms to teach writing, then are you really teaching writing?”

Claire Halstead will be offering the latest and best practice in modelling writing in shared and guided writing sessions. The aim of this training is to give classroom teachers and subject leaders the opportunity to consider and discuss best practice in the teaching of writing, from EYFS to Year 6.

📅5 November
⏰13:15-15:00
💻Book here: https://schoollitnet.org.uk/events/shared-and-guided-writing-081026/

09/10/2026

At our next network meeting we will be welcoming Jasbinder Bilan, author of the fantastic books pictured here and more 📚📚📚

Visit our website to book your space and join us in November to hear from Jasbinder: schoollitnet.org.uk/events

At these online meetings we will also share updates, practical tips and ideas, all brought together to support primary English leads to deliver excellent outcomes in their settings.

08/10/2026

Today is World Octopus Day 🐙
Here are five great children's books featuring these fascinating creatures to share with with your class. Swipe to see them all📚

Leo and the Octopus written by Isabelle Marinov and illustrated by Chris Nixon, published by Templar Books.

Obsessive About Octopuses by Owen Davey, published by Flying Eye Books.

My Friend the Octopus written by Lindsay Galvin, published by Chicken House.

If I Had an Octopus written by Gabby Dawnay and illustrated by Alex Barrow, published by Thames and Hudson.

Octopus Socktopus by Nick Sharratt, published by Alison Green Books.

07/10/2026

Black History month is an opportunity for additional focus on the impact of Black heritage and culture, these brilliant books look specifically at Black British history and would be great additions to classroom book collections.

Swipe to see the books and see below for details ⤵️

Black AND British by David Olusoga, published by Macmillian Children's Books.

Black and British: An Illustrated History written by David Olusoga and illustrated by Jake Alexander & Melleny Taylor, published by Two Hoots.

Growing Up Black in Britain by Stuart Lawrence, published by Scholastic.

The Black Curriculum: Migration written by Millie Mensha and illustrated by Camilla Ru, published by DK Children.

The Black Curriculum: Legacies written by Lania Narjee and illustrated by Chanté Timothy, published by DK Children.

Brilliant Black British History by Atinuke and Kingsley Nebechi, published by Bloomsbury.

Bright Stars of Black British History written by J.T. Williams and illustrated by Angela Vives, published by Thames and Hudson.

A diverse bookcase is essential (year-round) so children can see themselves, their families and communities celebrated in books. 📚💛

06/10/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Caroline Wood as SLN Manager. 📚💡🏫

With extensive experience in primary education and school leadership, Caroline brings first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing schools. Read more about this new chapter for the network in our latest news post.

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

Catch up with our first Network Meeting of the new school year 💻

We were joined by teacher and author Hywel Roberts, exploring ideas from his book Botheredness: Stories, Stance and Pedagogy, see more on his page Botheredness HQ with Hywel Roberts.

Meet Caroline Wood, our new School Literacy Network Manager. A former primary headteacher and English leader with a lifelong love of children’s literature, and a passion for helping leaders feel inspired and confident about their curriculum offer.

The session also includes EYFS Top Tips from Serena Shore of Ashcott Primary School and recommendations from James at The Rebel Reading Society, including details of an online book club that pupils can attend with no additional preparation or workload for teachers.

Watch the recording on our website ⬇️

01/10/2026

Today is ! Swipe to see the SLN team's poetry book recommendations. If you've got a favourite poet, poem or collection let us know in the comments 💬

Book Details:
📚
- A Whale of a Time selected by Lou Peacock and illustrated by Matt Hunt, published by Nosy Crow.
- The Weirdest Thing of All by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Ed Vere and published by Harper Collins Children's Books.
- I Tell Myself I'm Awesome by Joshua Seigal, published by Bloomsbury.
- Hot Food Nice! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Neal Layton and published by Walker Books.

📚📚
- Let Dem Know by Benjamin Zephaniah, with a foreword by George the Poet, published by Puffin.
- The Flying Machine of Dreams by Kate Wakeling, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz and published by Otter-Barry Books.
- Boing by James Carter, illustrated by Neal Layton and published Otter-Barry Books.
- A Kid In My Class by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Chris Riddell and published by Otter-Barry Books.

📚📚📚
- Bright Bursts Of Colour by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff and published by Bloomsbury.
- John Agard's Windrush Child by John Agard, illustrated by Sophie Bass and published by Walker Books.
- Five Little Friends by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock and published by Walker Books.
- Out There In the Wild by Nicola Davies, James Carter and Dom Conlon, illustrated by Diana Catchpole and published by Macmillian Children's Books.

Forward Prizes for Poetry