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Today, we wrote and decorated our Poetry Post in KS2. Tomorrow, we're off round the village to deliver poems to our local community. It's always really well received, with our pupils realising that they can have a positive impact on where they live. There's more info here: ourfp.org/eop/poetry-p...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Bison Rule, OK! by @bardymum.bsky.social, illustrated by Nia Havilliard, is a hugely imaginative poetry collection that plays with lots of different styles. As with all the best collections, it contains a mixture of emotional, thoughtful and funny poems. Ideal for KS2.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Reading aloud to a class is something that should be prioritised, not forgotten. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/the-case-f...

jonbiddle2.substack.com

The Case for Reading Aloud

Why reading together should never be squeezed out of the school day

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

If you haven't yet seen @booktrust.org.uk's Great Books Guide 2026-27, do take a look. It's a collection of 100 carefully selected, recently published children's books, including fiction, graphic novels, poetry and non-fiction. You can download it here: www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Have been reading Primary English In Action by @kateheap.bsky.social over the past few days. It's an absolute goldmine of research and practical strategies, and would be useful for anyone involved in teaching English. I would have loved a book like this when I first became an English Lead.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Pleased to see my article about the Verse Novel Awards published in the local press today, especially as it's National Poetry Day. www.edp24.co.uk/news/2658240...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I really enjoy compiling my book packs for @badgerlearning.bsky.social, and have written a short article about some of the new additions for this year. As always, I’ve tried to include a wide range of fiction, poetry, graphic novels and non-fiction. www.pandorabooks.co.uk/jon-biddles-...

pandorabooks.co.uk

Jon Biddle’s Latest Recommended Books | Pandora Books

These reading for pleasure packs are constantly evolving, as so many exciting new books are published each year. Deciding which books to add and which to remove is always difficult!

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Beyond books: What does it mean to be a reader? We need to recognise the many different ways children read, from magazines and comics to audiobooks, song lyrics and video games. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/beyond-books

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Poems on Toast by @attielime.bsky.social is a joyful and wonderfully varied collection of poetry. It's full of wit and humour, while also tackling some deeper emotions. Personal favourites include Reading is My Superpower, Did You Do It?, and Poetry. A great addition to the KS2 bookshelf.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Non-fiction texts are an essential part of the classroom reading diet and deserve far more attention. In my latest blog, I begin to explore the important role non-fiction can play in developing a rich reading culture. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/making-spa...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I've written more about the role of our Reading Champions and what they actually do to help shape our reading culture: jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/reading-ch...

jonbiddle2.substack.com

Reading Champions

Putting children at the heart of school reading culture

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Our Reading Champions are full of enthusiasm and energy, and are always looking for ways to get other pupils reading. I've written about their role and what they actually do to help shape our reading culture: jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/reading-ch...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Delighted by how many times my picturebook assembly overview has been downloaded over the past couple of weeks. It's lovely to hear that the books are also being used in classrooms, as well as for assemblies. Feel free to download and adapt it for your school setting. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Reading is about the relationship between reader and book but also about the relationship between reader and reader. To broaden the reading community my pupils are part of, this morning they all wrote reading postcards for children at another school.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I'm delighted to be included in the latest issue of Teaching English magazine as the winner of the @natecommunity.bsky.social Primary Award. It's lovely to have my work recognised, and I'm even more pleased that it creates another opportunity to highlight the importance of reading for pleasure.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Loving all the photos of the shortlisted books for the Verse Novel Awards arriving in schools this week. Over the next few weeks, hundreds of children across the UK will be reading, sharing and discussing them, before choosing their winners. I can't wait to hear what they think!

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Ghost and Toast: Slice to Meet You, released today, is exactly what you'd expect from graphic novel author and illustrator Phil Corbett (creator of the Kitty Quest series). Ghost (the dead one) and Toast (the bread one) are going to be loads of fun for LKS2.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you're looking for picturebook assembly ideas that have a focus on empathy and inclusion, I've put together a whole year's worth. All of the suggested books are ones that I've used in the classroom or for an assembly. I hope it's useful for people. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Do take a look at the free @booktrust.org.uk Represents online author workshops taking place this year. There are six planned, suitable for Years 3-7, featuring an exciting selection of authors & illustrators. The first, with Love Ssega, takes place on 7 October. www.booktrust.org.uk/how-we-help/...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

If you've written something you'd like to share, you can submit it here: englishassociation.ac.uk/submit-an-ar.... If you have an idea for an article that you'd like to talk through first, please send me a message. I'd be delighted to hear from you.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I thoroughly enjoy being part of the editorial team for English 4-11. We're always looking for interesting articles about any aspect of teaching English from teachers, librarians, lecturers or anyone else involved in children's primary education.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

'If we want children to develop a genuine appreciation of poetry, to experience the joy of creating their own poems, dipping into a collection with a friend, or performing a poem to the class, we must embed it as part of a school’s reading culture.' jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/using-poet...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This response is increasingly common. We just have to make sure we give them enough genuine reading opportunities in school.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Now on my fifth class set of Amulet graphic novels. They've been read relentlessly for about twelve years.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My latest article for Educate magazine. Audiobooks, magazines, comics, podcasts, digital texts... it all counts.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My latest article for Educate magazine. Audiobooks, magazines, comics, podcasts, digital texts... it all counts.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

As an ECT, knowing where to begin with building a classroom reading culture can be quite challenging. Here are some strategies and suggestions about what to focus on first. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/building-a...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

If you teach in KS2 and are not aware of the Cringe Club series by @emilyjaneclark.bsky.social, I'd recommend checking them out. Have just finished book three (well, the third one I've read anyway) and they just get funnier. Very popular with my Y5/6 pupils.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It could include storytelling sessions, book recommendations, discussions, writing and drama workshops, poetry events, blogs, book trailers and visits. The possibilities are pretty much endless, with every relationship being different. padlet.com/mariezarro/p...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The main goal of a patron is to promote reading for pleasure by encouraging and inspiring a love of reading. The patron develops a sustained relationship with a school, usually over one to three years, working alongside staff and children to develop and strengthen its reading culture.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Already, 50 authors, poets, storytellers and illustrators have signed up as potential patrons, ready to work alongside schools across the UK.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

With many schools starting again next week, it's the perfect time to start thinking about how to build and strengthen a culture of reading for pleasure. Tim Redgrave, Marie Zarro and I are delighted to be relaunching the Patron of Reading initiative. padlet.com/mariezarro/p...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I've just added a few more links and resources to my RfP Padlet. Do take a look! padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Delighted by the response to my picturebook assembly overview. It's great to hear that people are finding it useful. If you missed it last time, you can find the link here: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r... There are also links to the lists from the previous two years.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

If you're looking to develop how you use comics and graphic novels in school, do get hold of Comics in the Classroom by Helen Jones and Lucy Starbuck Braidley, and Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels by Tim Smyth. I've been working my way through them both over the summer and have learned lots.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This week’s #KidsBooksFriday is inspired by the great Dolly Parton. So whether it’s books about kindness, generosity, gratitude, inclusivity, positivity, hope, self-belief, or something else, let’s share books that embody Dolly’s spirit and legacy. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #BeMoreDolly

Book cover for You Choose by Nick Sherratt and Pippa Goodhart

Book cover for Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriella Epstein

Book cover for Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

World Kit Lit Month takes place every September, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. It's an exciting opportunity for pupils to read books from or set in another country, or books translated into English. The website is full of useful resources and is well worth exploring! worldkidlit.org

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

My 2026-27 overview of picturebook assembly suggestions is now ready. I've continued to focus on empathy and inclusion, linking the book selections to significant dates across the year. I really hope it's useful. The link can be found here: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen, by Guy Bass and David Roberts, is one of the most exciting and unique books of the year. It's a collection of spooky short stories, poetry and comic strips. The range of styles, both in the writing and the artwork, is just fantastic.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

160 schools have already signed up to take part in the first pupil-judged Verse Novel Awards. If your school would like to join them, the deadline is Friday 4 September. To sign up and receive your judging pack, simply complete this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dmc...

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I was excited for my copy of Comics in the Classroom by @eggyhelen.bsky.social and Lucy Starbuck Braidley to arrive yesterday. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday, what comics / graphic novels do you reckon could work particularly well in a classroom? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Comics in the Classroom by Helen Jones and Lucy Starbuck Braidley

Book cover for Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto

Book cover for Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Book cover for Bumble & Snug and the Jealous Giants by Mark Bradley

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I really enjoyed writing this as it brought back memories of one of my favourite teachers as a child. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/reading-re...

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Dance of Resistance by @catwrote.bsky.social is a superb biography about Josephine Baker. It explores her journey from racism and poverty in 1920s America to becoming one of the world's top stars, her work with the French Resistance and her involvement in the civil-rights movement during the 1960s.

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Nadine Batchelor-Hunt @nadinebh.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I feared this would happen. His story was troubling but the wave of hatred and obsession in the media when he was clearly someone who was vulnerable - whatever you thought of him - was entirely disproportionate and in my view fuelled by racists. My thoughts are with his loved ones tonight.

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It's important to keep track of what's on the classroom bookshelves. Here's a simple and practical way to get the pupils more involved. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/tracking-t...

jonbiddle2.substack.com

Tracking the shelves

Giving pupils a say in what stays and what goes

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

We're relaunching the Patron of Reading initiative, which is all about schools forming long-term relationships with authors, poets and illustrators. If you're a children's writer who'd be interested in taking part, just add your details to this list: padlet.com/mariezarro/p...

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