The Enormous Crocodile (Roald Dahl)

Plot:


The story focuses around a large, greedy crocodile that is on the hunt for children to guzzle up for his lunch. He plans various attempts to trap the children so he can eat them but before he has chance, various animals from the jungle foils his attempts. As a consequence for his greediness, the enormous crocodile is banished into space by the elephant to stop him trying to trick children ever again.


Themes:


Greed, animals, the Jungle, being appreciative of what we have

Age:

Appropriate for KS1 and lower KS2 as a foundation for English sessions. Has a good moral to the story and may help children to be more creative when thinking about writing their own stories. Excellent, colourful illustrations that would attract a younger audience.

Subject:

English, geography and science (looking at the different animals in the jungle), artwork, citizenship and PSHE

The Great Kapok Tree (Lynne Cherry)

Plot:

Two men enter a jungle with the intention of chopping down a central Kapok tree. As one man leaves the jungle the other falls asleep. While asleep, many animals that rely on the Kapok tree for survival, including a village boy, speak to the man and ask him to leave the tree alone. As the man wakes up he sees all the animals around him. This makes him realise that what he is intending to do will effect many species in the jungle. Instead of chopping down the tree, he leaves with a sense of peace.

Themes:

The Jungle, animals, species, ecosystems, habitats, deforestation, human destruction, looking after the planet etc

Age:

A good story for KS1 or lower KS2 as provides an entertaining story that teaches children about  animals and habitats in the jungle but also touches upon the consequences of human destruction and how we can prevent extinction.

Subject:

Brilliant cross-curricular tool. Links in excellently with geography and science, touching upon the uses of the jungle, water cycles, photosynthesis, habitats and ecosystems. Also excellent way of teaching children about animals (counting how many of each there are in the story) and linking it into english activities and art.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs (Jon Scieszka)

Plot:

This story essentially provides an alternative perspective of the traditional "three little pigs" tale. Provided from the viewpoint of Mr A. Wolf, it is argued that it was a cold that resulted in the death of the little pigs and not cruel intentions as was originally implied.

Themes:

Seeing things from different perspectives, determining what is truth, intentions

Age:

Appropriate for KS1 and KS2. The story can help children see situations from other people's perspectives which is an important lesson for them to learn. It is also brilliant in helping them to determine what or who they believe which can encourage individuality and independence.

Subject:

A brilliant resource for literacy particularly if focusing on "the three little pigs", as would be ideal in helping to produce a newspaper article or an informative piece of writing, but can also be used as a device to show persuasive writing as the wolf tries to convince us of his story.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Micheal Rosen/ Helen Oxenbury)

Imagination. Creativity. Inspiration. Only a snippet of the qualities this story possesses. Through following a family on their extraordinary adventure to find a bear, children are awakened to the world of pretending and make believe. By wading through long wavy grass to trudging through a treacherous snow storm, children are encouraged to find enjoyment from using their imagination and setting out on an adventure. The story also touches upon emotions children can feel, such as fear and apprehension but by doing so, it shows how all children can overcome obstacles that get in their way.

Using fantastically repetitive and poetic language, it is a perfect story to get the creative juices flowing and a brilliant way of encouraging the whole class to become excited about literacy through role play and recital. Additionally, it can also be used as a cross-curricular tool. For example, it can be used as an introduction to historic expeditions and adventures; as a song in music (and a study of different sounds); as an exploration of different natural environments and, as a way of incorporating ICT in the classroom in an interactive way; involving the large selection of games, activities and resources related to the story.

With beautiful illustrations and simple language, this story is suitable for most age ranges across the foundation and KS1 stages and even KS2. It is easy to follow for less confident readers as the repetition and visual imagery helps them to become involved. A timeless classic which children will love and will easily relate to!

This is an excellent clip that really does the story justice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb-nTnriTP8.

We animals would like a word with you (John Agard)

Poems about a variety of animals from monkeys to skunks.

Short entertaining poems that would suit a variety of age ranges as they could easily fit into a variety of topics.

Could be used as a good basis of introducing poetry or writing poetry as many of the poems promote simple, rhyming prose. But also an excellent way of helping children to improve their vocabulary and knowledge of technical terms (such as alliteration). For example:

A reminder from Snake

Slitheringly slimy
Creppingly crawly
Potently poisonous
Viciously venonmous

We all went of Safari (Laurie Krebs/ Julia Cairns)

Plot
Involves various characters going on a safari, spotting different animals and counting how many there are. Illustrated with facts about Tanzania, animals and the Masai people alongside teaching basic Swahili.

Themes
Counting, Africa (Tanzania), different cultures, languages and animals.

Age
Useful counting tool for EYFS or KS1. Fun way of learning to count that could link in with other areas of the curriculum. Excellently illustrated with bright pictures and illustrations.

Subject
Mathematics, literacy, geography (learning about different animals and environments) and as a way of learning about different cultures and ways of life.

Handa's Suprise (Eileen Browne)

Plot
Handa places fruit in a basket to take to her friend as a surprise. On her way, various animals pick at the fruit leaving her basket empty. As she arrives to greet her friend, Handa is surprised to find her basket of fruit full of tangerines, that fell into her basket on the journey.

Themes
Africa, different cultures, multiculturalism, animals and fruit (healthy eating) and friendship.

Age
Appropriate for EYFS and KS1. With colourful pictures and an entertaining story it is an excellent story to help introduce children to different cultures.

Subject
Could be used as a story to highlight the importance of healthy eating or as a way of highlighting the importance of friendship and caring. An excellent cross-curricular story.

Poetry by Spike Milligan

In particular:

• Onomatopia
• On the Ning Nang Nong

Excellent device at helping children to learn technical devices used in writing, and to remember them in a fun and interesting way.
These poems would also be excellent to use in EYFS and KS2 as the entertaining nonscensical words introduce children to the wonders of poetry!

On the Ning Nang Nong
Where the Cows go Bong!
and the monkeys all say BOO!
There's a Nong Nang Ning
Where the trees go Ping!
And the tea pots jibber jabber joo.
On the Nong Ning Nang
All the mice go Clang
And you just can't catch 'em when they do!
So its Ning Nang Nong
Cows go Bong!
Nong Nang Ning
Trees go ping
Nong Ning Nang
The mice go Clang
What a noisy place to belong
is the Ning Nang Ning Nang Nong!!

Poetry by Edward Lear

In particular:

• The Owl and the Pussycat
• There was an old man with a beard
• The Jumblies

Short, entertaining poems that could be used as a basis for poetry literacy lessons or as a fun way to end the day. Also a brilliant cross-curricular tool!
Suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 as they use good, simple rhyme and repetition which makes them easy to understand and enjoy!

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea     In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money,     Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above,     And sang to a small guitar, 'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,       What a beautiful Pussy you are,           You are,           You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

II

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl!     How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried:     But what shall we do for a ring?' They sailed away, for a year and a day,     To the land where the Bong-tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood     With a ring at the end of his nose,           His nose,           His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

III

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling     Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.' So they took it away, and were married next day     By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince,     Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,     They danced by the light of the moon,           The moon,           The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

Poetry by Allan Ahlberg

In particular:

• Please Mrs Butler
• It's a puzzle
• The supply Teacher

Short comical poems that relate to the lives of students and teachers and the everyday experience of school.

May be useful to use within literacy lessons involving poetry as they are entertaining and easy to follow. Would be useful in promoting enjoyment of poetry.

Please Mrs Butler
This boy Derek Drew
Keeps copying my work, Miss.
What shall I do?

Go and sit in the hall, dear.
Go and sit in the sink.
Take your books on the roof, my lamb.
Do whatever you think.

Please Mrs Butler
This boy Derek Drew
Keeps taking my rubber, Miss.
What shall I do?

Keep it in your hand, dear.
Hide it up your vest.
Swallow it if you like, love.
Do what you think best.

Please Mrs Butler
This boy Derek Drew
Keeps calling me rude names, Miss.
What shall I do?

Lock yourself in the cupboard, dear.
Run away to sea.
Do whatever you can, my flower.
But don't ask me!

Refugee Boy (Benjamin Zephaniah)

Plot
A young Etriean/ Ethiopian boy is left in England by his father due to the conflict happening in his country. Entering into the British care system, he fights for political asylum but faces the political stereotyping that is present in the country

Themes
Deals with the effects of persecution and war, the treatment of asylum seekers, discrimination, the experience of care and loss.

Age
Appropriate for older KS2 children as some of the themes are difficult to deal with, particularly the theme of loss and death. It is also important to note that although this story does provide an unbiased insight into the experience of an asylum seeker, not all asylum seekers experience the postive experience of the British care system and support that Alem does.

Subject
This story may be appropriate for use in history and citizenship, where it may be important to touch on other cultures and why we live in such a multicultural society. It may also be a good piece of literature to bring into Religious Education.

The Illustrated Mum (Jaqueline Wilson)

Plot
Revolves around two children (Dolphin and Star) who are dealing with the effects/ pressures of having a mum suffering with manic depression. Through exploring  their emotions and concerns, we are left with a raw, honest portrayal of mental illness.

Themes
Deals with issues of bullying, mental illness, identity, belonging, attitudes towards and experiences of care and single parenthood.

Age
Appropriate for older KS2 children as the subject matter is quite mature and may be upsetting for younger children. Gives a very in depth, unbiased insight into mental illness. May be useful in helping to reduce stereotyping surrounding mental illness.

Subject
May be a useful tool to bring into citizenship/ PSHE, allows children to experience the effects of mental illness and the stigma associated with it. Shows how equality and understanding is important.