This resource comprises three short films and support materials to help parents, families and carers read books conversationally and creatively to children. Working with Macmillan Children’s Books, the films use a selection of their picture books and a poetry collection to support families with reading to different ages of children.
Download: Book Chat Guide | Book Chat Poster
Book Chat is the informal interaction that accompanies quality reading to and with children, developing children’s language and comprehension and nurturing a love of reading. The films model this relaxed interaction through the use of open questions, comments and prompts to initiate Book Chat and enable parents and children to share the pleasure of reading together – a significant step for the project, as homelife becomes even more important whilst families cope with a post-pandemic world.
The films are based around three titles published on the Macmillan Children’s Books list and their Two Hoots illustrated imprint. Each is aimed at a different age of child who will be engaging with the stories or poems.
Ben Harris (Teacher) reads One Fox by Kate Read for 5+
Richard Charlesworth (Teacher) reads A House that Once Was by Julia Fogliano and illus. by Lane Smith for 7+
Professor Teresa Cremin (The Open University) reads The Same Inside Poems about Empathy and Friendship, by Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens for 9+
WEBINAR: Sharing the pleasure: the role of talk in reading
This OU webinar is available to watch now and open to educators, librarians, parents and others interested in supporting young people develop the reading habit. The Book Chat crew, Teresa Cremin, Ben Harris and Richard Charlesworth were joined by the children’s author Smriti Hall (TBC) and Rumenar Atkar, a mum and primary school librarian. The session included research and practice insights, strategies to enrich informal book talk at home and school, and book recommendations that get everyone talking.
Watch this webinar now!
