Useful links

Here's a selection of websites we found useful, interesting or just fun

• Kids
• Teachers
• Parents

Kids

• Bubble Dom. Interactive writing workshops for kids
• Poetry Zone. Created by poet Roger Stevens who is based in Britain. Poetry Zone publishes children's poems and has teacher resources, competitions and interviews with poets
• BBC Educational Games. A BBC site with loads of great games practicing literacy and helping you study for exams
• Cool Reads. Hundreds of books reviewed by 10-15 year olds. Users are invited to send in their own reviews or comments. There is an opportunity to play book games and quizzes, or join the cool-talk discussion forum.
• Big Star is an online reviews page run by two kiwi mums who love children's literature.

Teachers

• Booktrusted. This section of the Booktrust's website is dedicated to children's books and resources for professionals working with young readers.
• CWA Digital Conversations. This website showcases video conferences throughout the year, including our WordSpace video conferences, two of which are fully accessible online.
• Digistore. The Ministry of Education's digital resource arm, includes four examples of 'Creative Coaching' case studies
• Everybody Writes. This is a fantastic resource for anybody arranging a book week, writing focus, or just looking for ideas on how to teach writing.
• Educational resources from First Class Schools.
• IBBY International Board on Books for Young People
• Japanese Haiku Poetry Resources An excellent collection of school level-related haiku poetry resources.
• TESconnect. One of the world's leading educational newspapers.
• Poetry for Teachers. Contains many ideas and lesson plans for teaching poetry.
• Book Lady Reading Groups. Aimed at keen readers, this is a reading materials-assisted book group. The cost of sets of books included in the sign-up fee.
• New Zealand Association for the Teachers of English. This is the site for the New Zealand Association for the Teachers of English, a good resource site for teachers of English. There are several regional associations also listed on this site.
• 100 Books Every Child Should Read. A link to the Daily Telegraph article by Michael Morpurgo, about the teaching of reading in schools. Has links to a good list of books that every child should read.
• Create Readers. A highly recommended blog from the National Library School Services team about getting children reading.
• Buzz Words. A fortnightly online magazine, Buzz Words is targeted at children's writers, illustrators, librarians, teachers and editors. The magazine includes interviews with people in the children's book publishing and education industry. The link is to a sample version only, please subscribe for future issues.
• The National Literacy Trust. An independent charity dedicated to building a literate nation and raise literacy standards for all age groups throughout the UK.
• The UK National Reading Campaign. Information about promoting reading for all ages and abilities throughout the whole community.
• The Reading Agency. A charity working to inspire and support libraries in creating the best access to reading for everyone.
• Cool Reads. Hundreds of books reviewed by 10-15 year olds. Users are invited to send in their own reviews or comments. There is an opportunity to play book games and quizzes, or join the cool-talk discussion forum.
• BBC Books Page. A BBC site dedicated to books and writing
• Readers Cup. A page setting out how this popular Australian competition is run. Could you run something like this at your own school?
• Entertainment Center Spot. An online reading resourse for children with links to other great reading websites.

Parents

• Betty Gilderdale tells the history of Storylines Children's Literature Association
• Big Star is an online reviews page run by two kiwi mums who love children's literature.
• Wellington City Library story downloads. A collection of children's books read by Thomas La Hood.
• 100 Books Every Child Should Read. A link to the Daily Telegraph article by Michael Morpurgo, about the teaching of reading in schools. Has links to a good list of books that every child should read.
• Create Readers. A highly recommended blog from the National Library School Services team about getting children reading.