Go All In: National Year of Reading at The Story Project
The National Year of Reading is under way and we’re so excited to be involved. The theme ‘Go All In’ encourages us to read about what we love. It sees reading as an extension of who we are and what we’re interested in!
Here at The Story Project we love wellbeing; and we think its a great way to jump into reading for kids in our schools. Books are such a powerful way to connect to how you’re feeling, so encourage your class to go all in and read for their wellbeing.
Why Going All In to Wellbeing is a Great Way to Explore Emotions
Reading has a magical ability to reflect our lives. It can be really empowering to see a character who is experiencing something similar to you; it can provide comfort, calm and deeper understanding. It can also offer new insights into a problem or question children are finding hard.
Perhaps the spelling test the kids have been worried about it isn’t so scary after reading ‘Jabari Tries’ by Gaia Cornwall! Or got a child who can’t decide what club to join; well, now they’ve read ‘Rosie Revere Engineer’ by Andrea Beaty they’ve made up their minds – Lego Club it is!
Books also allow us to step in to other people’s shoes. This is a wonderful way to create empathy and foster connections between classmates. A great example would be for children struggling with friendship issues, where a book such as ‘On Sudden Hill’ by Linda Sarah could really change the course of the conversation. Books that delve into topical issues are also great for this; we love ‘Marcus Rashford’ the Little People Big Dreams Book for its depiction of the racism he has experienced in football.
No matter the emotion or the situation, there is a book to match. So get your class thinking about the feelings and topics they would like to explore, and Go All In to reading for wellbeing.
How to Get Your Class Involved in the Go All In National Reading Campaign
Delve through the library shelves to find books that you think will resonate with the children in your class. Here are a few to get you started based on common emotions and situations…
Read in to it: Nerves
Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna
A lovely story with a delightful colour palette about how sharing our worries is always a good idea.
Read in to it: Friendship troubles
On Sudden Hill by Linda Sarah
A story that is great for exploring friendships and managing jealousy.
Read in to it: Winning and Loosing
Billie Jean Peet, Athlete by Andrea Beaty
Dive into the world of Billie Jean, a young girl who feels like she isn’t enough especially as basketball. Until she realises she can do it her own way!
Read in to it: Trying something new
Almost Anything by Sophy Henn
It is hard trying something new, but when you ‘give your magic a chance’ you can actually try almost anything!
