We hope that this list of resources will enable you and your pupils to get the most out of this year's shortlisted books, and will help to inspire a love of reading in your pupils!
(Please scroll down for your appropriate category)
Picture Book Category
The Author Hotline website is a great resource, which enables young readers to get a real insight into what makes their favourite authors tick:
http://www.authorhotline.com/index.php
Lots of authors have a profile on the site and the service is completely free. Just click on the tab reading, 'click here to search the author profiles - have fun!' on the home page, to see which other authors are taking part and see what they have to say!
Little Tiger Press, have a great website:
http://www.littletigerpress.com/
Click on the 'For Teachers' tab in the list running down the left-hand-side of the home page. This page has lots of useful info and suggestions for teachers using books in the classroom. Dragon Stew is particularly mentioned as supporting specific aspects of the National Curriculum, through its rhyming text.
The page also provides access to activity sheets and suggestions for using the website in the classroom. Activity sheets specific to Dragon Stew can be found by clicking on the 'Awesome Activities' link which can be found under the 'Activity Sheets' heading on the Teacher Page. Scroll down the activities page and you will find three Dragon Stew activity sheets, which you can download by clicking on them. There are lots of other good activity sheets on this page too.
More activities and games can be found by clicking on the 'Kids' Corner' tab at the bottom of the list running down the left-hand side of the homepage.
The Reading Zone website offers info on, 'Everything you need to know about children's books and authors':
There is a section specifically for schools, accessed by clicking on the 'School Zone' tab, which features book recommendations, extracts, new titles and author information.
There is also a great, interactive 'Children's Zone' on the Reading Zone website; the tab can be found at the top of the screen on the right-hand side. There's lots of information on children's authors and suggestions of books to read, as well as book reviews and competitions. Kids can also leave their own comments and reviews.
Books for Keeps is a fantastic online children's book magazine:
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/
The website contains articles, reviews and forums along with a back catalogue of past issues. There is a also an extensive database of authors and illustrators, accessed by clicking on the 'Authors and Artists' tab at the top of the homepage. It features an alphabetised list of literally thousands of authors. Simply click on an author's name to be taken to a back catalogue and reviews of their week. All the shortlisted authors and illustrators, a part from Caryl Hart and Sarah Horne, have their own page.
Shorter Novel Category
Simon and Schuster
, have a useful website:
If you click on the 'multimedia' tab at the top right of the screen, you are able to view videos, audio interviews and pictures of authors affiliated to Simon and Schuster.
If you click on the 'communities' tab, which is next to the 'multimedia' tab you are taken to a discussion forum where you can see what's got people talking in the literary world. You can create your own account if you wish, which will enable you to post comments yourself.
David Fickling Books, has a great website:
You can find out more information about John Boyne on this website; simply click on the tab 'Authors and Illustrators' at the top of the page, this will take you to an alphabetised list of authors, just scroll down and click on 'visit John Boyne's page'. On his page John discusses what inspires him to write. If you scroll down to the bottom of John's page you can also post questions directly to him.
Lots of other great authors are affiliated to David Fickling books so do browse the author profiles, and see what you find! Last year's Overall Winners of the Sheffield Children's Book Award, Giles Andreae and Sarah McIntyre are both signed to the publisher.
The website also has a link to the David Fickling blog, just click on the tab at the top of the page. The blog includes posts from the publisher as well as from authors, so you're sure to be kept you up-to-date with what 'ss going on in the literary world.
The Reading Zone website offers info on, 'Everything you need to know about children's books and authors':
There is a section specifically for schools, accessed by clicking on the 'School Zone' tab, which features book recommendations, extracts, new titles and author information.
There is also a great, interactive 'Children's Zone' on the Reading Zone website; the tab can be found at the top of the screen on the right-hand side. There's lots of information on children's authors and suggestions of books to read, as well as book reviews and competitions. Kids can also leave their own comments and reviews.
Books for Keeps is a fantastic online children's book magazine:
The website contains articles, reviews and forums along with a back catalogue of past issues. There is a also an extensive database of authors and illustrators, accessed by clicking on the 'Authors and Artists' tab at the top of the homepage. It features an alphabetised list of literally thousands of authors. Simply click on an author's name to be taken to a back catalogue and reviews of their week. All the shortlisted authors in the Shorter Novel Category have their own page.
Longer Novels
http://www.davidficklingbooks.co.uk/index.asp
You can find out more information about Andy Mulligan on this website; simply click on the tab 'Authors and Illustrators' at the top of the page, this will take you to an alphabetised list of authors, just scroll down and click on 'visit Andy Mulligan's page'. There is information about Andy on his page. If you scroll down to the bottom of Andy's page you can also post questions directly to him.
Lots of other great authors are affiliated to David Fickling books so do browse the author profiles, and see what you find! Last year's Overall Winners of the Sheffield Children's Book Award, Giles Andreae and Sarah McIntyre are both signed to the publisher.
The website also has a link to the David Fickling blog, just click on the tab at the top of the page. The blog includes posts from the publisher as well as from authors, so you're sure to be kept up-to-date with what's going on in the literary world.
The Reading Zone website offers info on, 'Everything you need to know about children's books and authors':
http://www.readingzone.com/home.php
There is a section specifically for schools, accessed by clicking on the 'School Zone' tab, which features book recommendations, extracts, new titles and author information.
There is also a great, interactive 'Young Adult' zone on the Reading Zone website; the tab can be found at the top of the screen on the right-hand side. There's lots of information on authors and news about the latest titles, as well as book reviews and competitions. Young readers can also leave their own comments and reviews.
Books for Keeps is a fantastic online children's book magazine:
The website contains articles, reviews and forums along with a back catalogue of past issues. There is a also an extensive database of authors and illustrators, accessed by clicking on the 'Authors and Artists' tab at the top of the homepage. It features an alphabetised list of literally thousands of authors. Simply click on an author's name to be taken to a back catalogue and reviews of their week. All the shortlisted authors in the Longer Novel Category have their own page.
