🇨🇦 in 🇬🇧, Primary English Consultant, children's book blog, author of the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series, Chair of Governors, Girlguiding
It's always fascinating to receive a royalty statement for my reading comprehension series and find out which books are the most popular!
In 2024, the top 3 are:
1. Non-fiction for Years 5-6
2. Classic Children's Literature for Years 3-4
3. Classic Poetry for Years 5-6
We found a stack of house docs in the loft. My daughter is now creating her own story of those who lived here before us. Yesterday she discovered that the first owner of our house was born in the house where her godmother lives now. Such excitement!
@DavidOlusoga
@YinkaOlusoga
Christmas is just around the corner and I have a fantastically festive giveaway: a copy of Steve the Christmas Elf by Billy Dunne & Ben Whitehouse!
⭐️RT
⭐️Tag some friends
⭐️FW
@stopmotionben
@BusterBooks
&
@kateheap1
⭐️ Ends 13.11.21, 8pm (UK only)
Our tree is up so it’s time to spread some festive cheer!
I have an extra copy of The Great Reindeer Rescue to give away.
🎄FW
@StephenMangan
,
@Neeneelou
,
@scholasticuk
&
@KateHeap1
🎄RT
🎄Tag a children’s book lover
Closes 10pm Sunday (26.11.23) (UK only)
To celebrate the publication of ‘The Case of the Abandoned Boat’ by
@kereengetten
, I have a set of 3 ‘Di Island Crew’ books to give away.
Just RT, follow
@Pushkinchildren
& me and tag a friend in the comments.
Ends 8pm - 8.2.24 (UK only)
@PushkinChildren
Half-Term
#Giveaway
!
A mysterious letter, an old house, a family curse… just right for the spooky season!
I have a signed copy of Danger at Deadman’s Pass by
@MGLnrd
,
@samuelsedgman
&
@elisaupsidedown
to give away!
💫RT
💫FW
💫Tag a friend or two
Ends 26.10.22, 8pm (UK only)
Continuing on my quest to find shelf space and to spread the bookish joy, I’m running giveaways for brilliant books of which I have multiple copies.
Next up:
The Shark Caller from
@Usborne
⭐️RT
⭐️Tag some friends
⭐️FW
@kateheap1
&
@ZillahBethell
⭐️ Ends 23.6.21, 8pm (UK only)
BOOK GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the first Saturday of the summer holidays, I have all 3 books in the fantastic Mysteries at Sea series to give away!
To enter:
🌊RT
⚓️Follow
@AMHowellwrites
&
@KateHeap1
🐟Tag a friend
Closes 8pm 31.7.24 (UK only)
@Usborne
I’ve been sorting out my bookshelves and come across extra copies of two really special books so it’s time for an Easter break giveaway!
One copy of The Last Bear & The Lost Whale.
🌊FW
@HGold_author
&
@KateHeap1
🌊RT
🌊Tag 2 children’s book lovers
Closes 10pm 6.4.23 (UK only)
The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories
#giveaway
Join in on Instagram for an extra entry (kate_g_heap)
🎄Like & RT this post
🎄Tag a friend in the comments
🎄Follow me &
@FaberChildrens
🎄Ends 9.12.22 at 5pm
🎄UK only
BOOK GIVEAWAY 🐠🐙☀️
Like / RT / Tag a friend
FW
@AnnaMcGregorAU
&
@KateHeap1
Closes 8pm 31.7.23 (UK only)
Who's Afraid of the Light? is a fascinating (and glowing) look at the ocean's midnight zone. This intriguing book is sure to be very popular in KS1&2 class libraries!
It’s time for part two of my Easter break giveaway!
One copy of each of Amari and the Night Brothers & Amari and the Great Game.
🌊FW
@bb_alston
&
@KateHeap1
🌊RT
🌊Tag 2 children’s book lovers
Closes 10pm 13.4.23 (UK only)
I’d like to giveaway one of the brilliant books I reviewed recently: Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick (So good I ended up with two copies!)
To enter: LIKE, RT & Follow me
It would be great if you could check out my blog too!
Winner will be drawn on 17.5.20
World Book Day Giveaway!
Enter to win Grandpa Frank's Great Big Bucket List AND Carnival of the Lost!
🎉FW
@J_C_Pearson
@kmlarwood
&
@KateHeap1
🎉RT
🎉Tag some friends
Closes 10pm 4.3.22 (UK only)
Winner chosen by random number generator.
@Usborne
@FaberChildrens
Little Experts series is absolutely fascinating! Packed full of facts for readers age 6-9 from experts in their respective fields, these books will be so useful in primary classrooms or at home.
Watch for them in February!
We have the best postman! My son needs to make a car with a wind-up engine for Scouts but we didn’t have a big elastic band. He taped this to the door - problem solved!
Are you ready for
@WorldSpaceWeek
?
Am I Made of Stardust? by Dr Maggie Aderin Pocock is a fascinating book all about space and I have a special prize pack to give away from
@BusterBooks
!
💫RT
💫FW
@kateheap1
&
@BusterBooks
💫Tag a teacher or school
Ends 25.9.22, 8pm (UK only)
Continuing on my quest to find shelf space and to spread the bookish joy, I’m running giveaways for brilliant books I have multiple copies of.
Next up: Murder on the Safari Star by
@MGLnrd
@samuelsedgman
@elisaupsidedown
⭐️ RT/FW/Tag some friends
⭐️ Ends 17.5.21 8pm (UK ONLY)
It’s Saturday! This week I have a special
#WhatAreYouReading
giveaway!
A signed copy of The Forgotten Crown by
@JHaddell
To win:
RT this post & make sure to FW James & me.
Closes: 8pm 6.2.22 (UK only)
@EmiraPress
Let’s chat about books - What are you reading this weekend?
2020 has been an incredible year for children's books!
Here are my Top 20 of 2020 with an extra mention for The Lost Child's Quest by
@JHaddell
which has only just been published.
Are any of your favourites on this list?
Take a look at the reviews below to find out more...
Back to school giveaway!
Developing Reading Comprehension Skills:
Non-fiction for Years 5-6
💫RT
💫FW
💫Tag a teacher or school
Ends 10.9.22, 8pm (UK only)
Follow the link for more info about the series.
World Book Day Giveaway!
Overflowing with extracts from some of the best recent middle grade stories, Contemporary Children's Literature for Years 5-6 will engage & challenge readers!
I have one copy to giveaway
💫RT
💫FW
💫Tag a teacher or school
Ends 5.3.23, 8pm (UK only)
⬇️
As 2023 draws to a close, I'd like to share my favourite books of this year. It's been difficult to narrow down the list so there are quite a few but they are all wonderful children's books that will inspire readers.
Follow the link to see my 2023 list:
We came across a wonderful bookshop in Haworth yesterday with a fantastic selection of children’s books. My daughter was drawn in by the window display.
Wave of Nostalgia
@PNetbook
I'm thrilled to join in the blog tour for YA debut
#CatfishRolling
by
@ClaraKiyoko
@_ZephyrBooks
I have the wonderful first chapter of this captivating Japanese folklore fusion to share!
AND watch for a giveaway coming soon!
I've compiled all of the fantastic new book recommendations made over the weekend! I'll try to tag everyone who contributed. Please share with anyone I've missed. Thank you for such a brilliant thread! I've really enjoyed the great book chat! Happy reading
Half-term Giveaway! ❤️📚
Developing Reading Comprehension Skills:
Classic Literature Years 5-6
Quality classic texts with the full range of content domain questions for KS2.
RT
FW
@KateHeap1
&
@brilliantpub
Closes Midnight 17.2.21(UK)
Find out more here:
To celebrate next week’s publication of A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, Mars and the Distant Stars, I have a set of super fun trading cards to GIVE AWAY!
🌎 RT this post
🌎 Tag a science-loving friend
🌎 Giveaway closes at 8pm 8.2.23
UK only
@BusterBooks
I was overwelmed by the response to my question about children's books for adults! I've pulled together the most popular recommendations. Please follow me on Twitter and subscribe to my blog for lots of lovely books.
The Wrong Shoes is the must-read book of the year for anyone who works with children. Giving insight into child poverty, developing empathy and allowing many young readers to feel seen, it is truly one-of-a-kind and incredibly powerful.
It’s one of those days when my former HT rings at 8:30 to say they’ve just lost two more teachers to isolation and could I cover? 30 mins later I’m in my own twins’ y6 class teaching a maths/sewing combo!
Camping at Ullswater - time to relax.
My son just climbed out of his sleeping bag with a pair of dirty pants that have been in there since his Y6 residential at the beginning of July.
🎉It's my birthday & the start of a new term so I'm celebrating with a giveaway!🎉
Developing Reading Comprehension Skills:
Classic Children's Literature Years 3-4
🎉RT
🎉FW
🎉Tag some friends
Closes: 9pm 8.1.22 (UK)
Please check out the other books in the series too.
BOOK GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the blog tour, I have a copy of the first book in the delightful Ivy Newt series to give away - Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch!
To enter:
🧹RT
🪄Follow
@Derekkeilty
&
@KateHeap1
🧙♀️Tag a friend
Closes 8pm 24.5.24 (UK only)
@Scallywagpress
Join me on the blog tour for Ivy Newt and the Swamp Dragons by
@Derekkeilty
& Magda Brol - the third book in this brilliant chapter book series!
Watch for a giveaway of the first book later today!
@Scallywagpress
Win a copy of A Girl Called Justice: The Ghost in the Garden by Elly Griffiths - kindly donated by Toppsta
#giveaway
☀️FW
@KateHeap1
,
@ellygriffiths
&
@toppsta
☀️RT
☀️Tag a friend
Closes 8pm 10.6.21 (UK only)
@jk_rowling
@Scholastic
Kids don't draw pictures for money. They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves - to contribute and share something they've created.
My daughter has been given a place in English Youth Ballet’s performance programme. She is fundraising by making & selling ballet charm pins.
£3 each (£1.50 postage)
Please let us know if you’d like one & please share with any little dancers you know.
When I first sent my proposal to publishers for a classic literature comprehension book for KS2, I never dreamed it would become a series of 8 - but here they are - all 8 books together with the publication of Non-fiction for Y3-4 today! 🎉
Find out more:
Spent the morning on the shores of Lake Windermere talking about After the War with my children. Such a powerful story that needs to be told.
@tompalmerauthor
@BarringtonStoke
My thoughts:
Amazed to receive a notification saying my blog has had over 100,000 views! Thank you to everyone who has supported me. I love sharing children’s books.
A book round-up:
2021 has already been a bumper year for books. What have been your top children’s books so far and what are your most anticipated still to come?
Let’s share thoughts, blog posts, authors & publishers.
10 year-old has just announced he’s not going back to school and he prefers homeschooling. I had a feeling this was coming. At least we know where we stand before 8:30 tomorrow morning. Deep breath - we can get through this.
To celebrate the launch of Developing Reading Comprehension Skills: Contemporary Children’s Literature, Years 3-4, I have one copy to
#giveaway
.
Just Follow & RT to enter
Closes: 8:30pm, 26.6.22 (UK only)
Make sure you check out the rest of the series too.
I’ve had some very exciting news about my classic literature resource book for teachers! It’s ready and going to the printer soon and my publisher would like me to write more!
Easter Book Giveaway! 🐰❤️📚
Classic Poetry Years 5-6
Developing Reading Comprehension Skills Book 2
RT
FW
Tag some teachers/parents/English leads
Closes: Midnight 5.4.21 (UK)
@brilliantpub
Find out more here:
Happy birthday to me! 🎈
This is going to be a year of new adventures and being brave - despite a pandemic! Starting with my book series making its way into the world.
What an amazing Christmas gift! The author copies of my first book arrived today! I’m so excited to share some of what I know about reading and create something to help teachers!
@BrillCreative
It’s available from the publisher:
Just heard that my littlest girl was the only one to not have a present to unwrap in her Y7 form Secret Santa. She was so excited about it and chose her gift so carefully.
Happy 12th birthday to the most wonderful pair! My greatest challenge and greatest joy (along with their big sister). Two peas in a pod and best friends forever. x
It’s been two years since my first comprehension book was published. I never dreamed it would become a series of 10 (two more books on the way in 2023).
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way. It means so much!
We can’t believe the amount of book post waiting when we got back from holiday today! Thank you everyone!
My daughter and I opened it together. Here’s a (long)🧵of what we found.
It's Saturday (Again, already! Where has half-term gone?!)
#WhatAreYouReading
?
📚RT this post
📚Share your book
📚Tag some friends to ask
#WhatAreYouReading
📚Chat about books
I'm reading Clutch by
@MGLnrd
- I love this series!
What an evening! My daughter. Charlie, performed in her first opera at the Grand Theatre in Leeds with the Opera North Youth Chorus. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it!
🎉Start of Term Giveaway🎉
Developing Reading Comprehension Skills: Classic Children's Literature Years 5-6
💫RT
💫FW
💫Tag friends
Closes: 9pm 13.9.21 (UK)
If you can't wait for the giveaway, follow the link for more info, reviews & purchase links.
So excited for Truman Books to open in Farsley next Saturday! A brand new independent book shop just a few minutes from my house!
💷 📚😃
@jonnybid
- one for your list!
@TrumanBooks
It's the final
#WhatAreYouReading
of the year and my 500th post on Scope for Imagination!
I'm celebrating with my favourite books of the year.
🎄RT this post
🎄Share one of your favourite books from 2021
🎄Tag some friends to ask
#WhatAreYouReading
By Ash, Oak and Thorn & By Rowan and Yew by
@M_Z_Harrison
are completley chariming. With a classic feel reminiscent of The Borrowers, they celebrate the beauty of nature and all the things we don't see. Their secret world is full of magic.
@chickenhsebooks
@LauraSmythePR
@unicornpasty
I would treat her to a new book she absolutely loves - no matter what the level - and send in a reading book from home of her choice. She “has” to read school selected books for lessons but no where else. If the teacher mentions it, you can explain.
I've just had an email to say I've been approved to read Shipwreck Island by
@Struan_Murray
@PuffinBooks
The rest of my reading list has shifted down one as this bounds to the top. I read Orphans of the Tide on a long plane journey a year ago. How I wish I could do that now!
The Worst Class in the World Dares You!
Blog Tour & Giveaway!!!
@joannanadin
@r1k1n
@KidsBloomsbury
@FrithaL
🎉RT & tag a friend for a chance to win the entire laugh-out-loud three-book series!
Closes: Midnight 18.1.22 (UK & Ireland only)
My review:
I know it’s early but as a Canadian, I need to start thinking about Christmas gifts to send across the Atlantic. Which books will you be giving to the children in your life this year? I’m thinking of these by
@JenniferKillick
@sophieinspace
&
@woollensocks
We’re going on our first outing today - to
@Waterstones
! What was the most recent children’s book to really have an impact on you and stop you in your tracks - to make you gasp, stop and think, or keep thinking about it long after you’d finished it? For me: The Shark Caller
Blog Tour & Giveaway!
It's my stop on the blog tour for The Time Tider by
@SJOHart
AND I have a copy of this incredible book to giveaway!
@LittleTigerUK
To enter:
🕰️ RT
🕰️ FW
@kateheap1
&
@SJOHart
🕰️Tag a friend
Ends 8pm 16.2.23 (UK/Ireland only)
🎉 PUBLICATION DAY BOOK GIVEAWAY 🎉
#SequinAndStitch
❤️ 🧵
@LauraDockrill
@BarringtonStoke
RT & FW to win 1 of 2 copies
Closes: Midnight 9.8.20 (UK)
I’m so pleased to share this wonderful story of family & strength.
You can read my review here:
Well, this is an absolute joy (although my family isn’t appreciating me laughing to myself while they’re reading their own books). I love Anne and she is wonderful in this book!
@acaseforbooks
The next two books in the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series from
@brilliantpub
are coming in March and there are 24 fantastic extracts from contemporary children's literature inside!
Check out this thread for a first look at what's included:
I’m thrilled that my Y8 daughter has been given a mindfulness day from school. They are checking in regularly with daily focus on mental health. This is her schedule today:
It’s Vashti day! It was wonderful to catch up with
@vashti_hardy
at
#LeedsLitFest
this morning and have lunch together. Vashti is such a lovely person and the Brightstorm series means so much to our family!
@LeedsLit
I'm so excited that the next two books in the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series have gone to the printer and should be available very soon! You can preorder Classic Children's Lit & Classic Poetry for Years 3-4 now.
@brilliantpub