Finding and choosing books
This is a community sharing site for parents and
children. You can download MP3 files of stories to play
to children, these can be burned to CD or loaded onto an
MP3 player. Rather than professionally produced audio books,
the stories are recordings of parents reading stories to
their children. You can also record your own stories and
send them in to the site. Users who register on the site
can post in the discussion forums, comment on stories and
also submit new stories, songs and drawings so that everyone
can share them.
www.astoryforbedtime.com
This BBC website was developed in partnership with the Department
for Eduction and Skills to guide children aged five to 11
and their parents through the National Curriculum in England.
www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/digger
The Parenting website includes a wide range of information
for parents of children from birth to teenage. Mention is
made of programmes that relate, but the emphasis is on general
support and information across an extensive range of topics.
There are also a great number of links to other useful sites.
www.bbc.co.uk/parenting
Booktrust is an independent charity that works to bring
together readers and books. It runs the books for babies
project Bookstart,
funded by Sainsbury's. The site includes lots of information
on books for children and adults, and book prizes.
www.booktrust.org.uk
The Child Literacy Centre offers information for parents
on methods used to teach reading to their children in school,
and advice and tips on activities to share in the home.
www.childliteracy.com
This website of an individual Bookstart project has general
information useful for parents of young children, including
nursery rhymes.
www.craigmillarbooksforbabies.org.uk
The Parents Centre has been developed by the Department
for Education and Skills to provide parents with information
about raising children and supporting learning, both in
and out of school. It covers a broad range of topics, from
how they can help their children learn to information on
school holiday dates and rules on uniforms.
www.parentscentre.gov.uk
Family-centred website offering guidance on a wide range
of family issues, including family holidays and days out,
education, health, recipes and shopping. It includes edurapp
- advice and guidance on education - and book reviews and
information for adults and children.
www.familyrapp.co.uk
The Fatherhood Institute (formerly Fathers Direct) is a registered charity and a 'fatherhood think-tank'. It aims to collate research on fatherhood, help shape family policy, influence the public debate on fathers and train family services to be father-inclusive. Through a separate partly-owned company, DAD, it provides information directly to fathers and their families. www.fatherhoodinstitute.org and www.dad.info.
Site developed by a former head of special needs education
to help parents to support children who are struggling with
reading. Free assessment guidelines and sample materials
are available but further modules must be purchased, as
you need them.
www.helpthemread.co.uk
This part of the Department for Education and Skills' parents'
site provides a range of guides to help parents and carers
to understand and play an active part in their child's learning.
Each guide focuses on a particular primary topic, giving
information on what will be covered in school and how parents
can help at home.
www.dfes.gov.uk/parents/discover/
Website created by teachers to explain to parents what children
will be studying at primary school in English and maths.
There are tips on how to help your child with maths, reading,
spelling and writing.
www.parentlink.co.uk
Read Together is the website of the Scottish Executive's
Home Reading Initiative, which aims to encourage parents
and carers to share books with children.
www.readtogether.co.uk
This is a site of free reading fun. There are animated cartoons
with subtitles, comics, children's music, picture books,
puzzles and games that entertain kids and teach them to
read. www.sillybooks.net
Here are some useful websites and online resources to help
you choose books for children, young people and adults.
You might also like to ask in your local or school library
for recommendations, or check your local library websites
- many of them list recommended reads.
The Essex Libraries website
invites readers to "Ask Chris" for recommended
reads for both young people and adults.
http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk
The BBC site includes information and reviews, plus the
chance to talk about books on the message boards.
www.bbc.co.uk/arts/pageturners
The Booktrust children's books website includes information
on recommended reads for different age groups, from babies
to teenagers.
www.booktrusted.com
This Booktrust site focuses on recommendations for teenagers.
http://www.bookheads.org.uk/
Website devoted to Scottish children's books
www.braw.org.uk
Website run by two young people, who recommend titles readers
aged 10 to 15.
www.cool-reads.co.uk
Website set up to help adults who are not confident readers
find good books that will help them get hooked on reading.
The site includes recommended good reads to read with children
as well.
www.firstchoicebooks.org.uk
US site on books for boys and men
www.guysread.com
Mrs Mad reviews and rates children's books.
www.mrsmad.com
An online "bookchooser" helps readers find books
that have their ideal ingredients.
www.readingmatters.co.uk
This US site includes reviews, interviews and information
aimed at teenagers.
www.teenreads.com
Independent online bookstore that helps readers find books
they'll love.
www.lovereading.co.uk
Site for readers aged 16 to 24, developed by Opening the
Book and the East Midlands Reader and Library Development
project
www.whatareyouuptotonight.com
Online software helps readers to find books based on criteria
including funny or serious, happy or sad, easy or demanding
and short or long.
www.whichbook.net
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