Reading at home is important.  All children need to practice reading as it is such a key skill that enables our children to access the whole of the curriculum. Good readers also make good writers.  This practice can happen in a number of ways - independent reading, reading with a parent/carer/family member, being read to, sharing a news article, gathering information from a non-fiction book or website and many more.  All of these experiences should be recorded in your child's reading record.

As your child moves through the school, they may be more inclined to read on their own.  This is great and a natural step, but please check in with them.  Ask them about what they are reading - can they tell you about the characters, setting and plot and what they think may happen next?  Examples of other questions to ask are both below and on the book mark your child has been given.  Reading records are checked in school so please ask your child to record when they have read and an adult should initial or add to the children's comments every week.

How often?

Children should be reading out of school every day. 

What should I read?

Sometimes it is hard to choose the right book.  We want our children to love reading and they should revisit stories and authors they love.  However, it is also important that they should read books that challenge them and enable them to practice the skills they learn.  Below are our recommended lists for each year group (which are on the bookmarks), as well as lists from Herts for Learning and the Book Trust.  There are also book reviews recommending books written by some of our children and links to authors websites.

Book Trust 100 best books for children