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!