Us Minus Mum has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015 and shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2015. Heart-warming as well as heart-breaking, it is the story of two brothers and their lovable mongrel finding laughter in the face of loss. George and Theo's mum is brilliant. She tells great stories, can wave the fastest of anyone on the planet and, most importantly, she was the one who suggested they adopt a scruffy dog called Goffo. The boys think she's invincible. But they're wrong. Because Mum is ill. Really ill. It's up to George and Theo to keep Mum smiling. Which will almost probably definitely involve wellies, shepherd's pie and Goffo's victory at the pet talent show . . . 'a perfectly-judged, wonderfully-observed story of coming to terms with the loss of a parent and coping with grief. It's also a funny and delightful portrait of a family that is probably different from your family, but just like it, too. I loved it and heartily recommend it to every single reader of 9 and up.' The Bookbag

Children enjoyed it so much they didn t realise they were being worked so hard.
Jo Miles, Learning Support Assistant at Manor Farm Community Junior School, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire

Great speaking and listening activity-setting-up ideas for the Big Write. The games extended the children s vocabulary. Purposeful learning love it
Liz Pilgrim, Senior Teacher at Manor Farm Community Junior School, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire

Educational games played in groups or pairs help develop key language and social skills. Based on a range of material to extend vocabulary, punctuation and cross-curricular creativity, Classroom Literacy Games contains original games with suggestions of how to develop writing tasks after playing them.

Each game is differentiated four ways and aims to teach literacy (including vocabularly, connectives, openers and punctuation) to higher KS1, KS2 and lower KS3. Printed with dyslexia-friendly fonts, these cross-curricular games are suitable for mixed-ability classrooms, small groups or one-to-one teaching situations. As either photocopiable resources to be used in the classroom or as homework activities, these games will create situations to generate creative writing and for the children to create their own games. They can also be used for EAL, guided reading and weekly Big Write exercises.

With minimal preparation time required and a vast number of games, these user-friendly, pick-up-and-go activities will be of interest to any practicing primary and lower KS3 teacher.

Children enjoyed it so much they didn't realise they were being worked so hard.Jo Miles, Learning Support Assistant at Manor Farm Community Junior School, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire Great speaking and listening activity-setting-up ideas for the Big Write. The games extended the children's vocabulary. Purposeful learning - love it!Liz Pilgrim, Senior Teacher at Manor Farm Community Junior School, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire Educational games played in groups or pairs help develop key language and social skills. Based on a range of material to extend vocabulary, punctuation and cross-curricular creativity, Classroom Literacy Games contains original games with suggestions of how to develop writing tasks after playing them. Each game is differentiated four ways and aims to teach literacy (including vocabularly, connectives, openers and punctuation) to higher KS1, KS2 and lower KS3. Printed with dyslexia-friendly fonts, these cross-curricular games are suitable for mixed-ability classrooms, small groups or one-to-one teaching situations. As either photocopiable resources to be used in the classroom or as homework activities, these games will create situations to generate creative writing and for the children to create their own games. They can also be used for EAL, guided reading and weekly Big Write exercises. With minimal preparation time required and a vast number of games, these user-friendly, pick-up-and-go activities will be of interest to any practicing primary and lower KS3 teacher.

Each year, 3,000 children and young people between the ages of 1 and 19, die as a result of illness or accident.Around 5% of children will have experienced the death of a parent by the time they are 16. Statistics indicate that up to 70% of schools have a bereaved pupil in their care at any given time. Helping Children Think about Bereavement provides a four part differentiated story and activities to help normalise death and allow children to develop emotional literacy to talk about it. The author, along with Child Bereavement UK have devised activities and guidance for teachers on how to use the story to develop children's emotional literacy and prepare them for bereavement, whether it affects them personally or through a friend's bereavement. This book also offers support for teachers and parents outlining how children's understanding of death develops and what can be helpful in supporting bereaved children. The story is presented at different levels: for children aged 9-11 for children aged 7 -9 for children aged 5-7 for children who speak English as a Second Language for children in Early Years or with Learning Difficulties Details surrounding death and its aftermath are not always readily talked about or well handled. When it does happen, children need to be able to express themselves and know that their feelings are a normal part of grieving. This book is an invaluable resource for all key stage one and two teachers, teaching assistants and anyone who is involved in bereavement training.

Each year, 3,000 children and young people between the ages of 1 and 19, die as a result of illness or accident.Around 5% of children will have experienced the death of a parent by the time they are 16. Statistics indicate that up to 70% of schools have a bereaved pupil in their care at any given time. Helping Children Think about Bereavement provides a four part differentiated story and activities to help normalise death and allow children to develop emotional literacy to talk about it. The author, along with Child Bereavement UK have devised activities and guidance for teachers on how to use the story to develop children's emotional literacy and prepare them for bereavement, whether it affects them personally or through a friend's bereavement. This book also offers support for teachers and parents outlining how children's understanding of death develops and what can be helpful in supporting bereaved children. The story is presented at different levels: for children aged 9-11 for children aged 7 -9 for children aged 5-7 for children who speak English as a Second Language for children in Early Years or with Learning Difficulties Details surrounding death and its aftermath are not always readily talked about or well handled. When it does happen, children need to be able to express themselves and know that their feelings are a normal part of grieving. This book is an invaluable resource for all key stage one and two teachers, teaching assistants and anyone who is involved in bereavement training.

Charlie and Julia are certain that the sleepy village of Peddle-Worth must contain some mysteries for their brand new agency - The Milkshake Detectives - to solve. All they need to do is find them! So when somebody called 'The Bear' starts leaving strange clues, they can't wait to put their spy skills to use. The only problem? Everyone else wants to join in the bear hunt too! Not least, Charlie's new step-brothers who are quite possibly the most irritating boys on the planet. But with the competition heating up, Charlie might be missing a more important mystery. And this one lies a lot closer to home . . . Heather Butler's first novel, Us Minus Mum, has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015 and shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards.