Reading for All

Reading for All is a library resource to support learners of all ages on their reading journey.

Most adults who struggle with reading do so because of the instruction they failed to receive as children. Phonics is the basis of reading and writing and the good news is that it is never too late to become a successful reader.

Why choose St Helens Library Service:

Flexible approach
Suitable for a range of abilities
Reading material that interests adults
Different book styles
Reading Ahead – Read more, improve skills, and gain confidence with this adult reading challenge.

Titles to support adults.

	A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley (Level 4) Five-year-old Saroo gets on the wrong train in India and is taken thousand of miles to the city of Kolkata. After months of living on the streets, he is adopted by a family in Australia. Many years later, Saroo decides to try and find his Indian family. Penguin Readers
	Animal Farm by George Orwell (Level 6) Old Major, the boar, dreams of farms run by animals for animals, with liberty and equality for all. When the animals of Manor Farm, led by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, drive out Farmer Jones and set up Animal Farm, the dream seems to be coming true. But as the pigs become more powerful Old Major's vision turns horribly sour. Pearson English Readers
	Artificial Intelligence (based on The Road to Conscious Machines by Michael Wooldridge) (Level 7) This book aims to explain what AI is and what it is not. It turns to different subjects to understand AI, and what it means for the world. It also examines important AI developments in the past, present and future. Penguin Readers
	Billy Elliot by Melvin Burgess (Level 3) Eleven-year-old Billy Elliot is different from other boys. He is not very clever or good at sport. Then, one day, he discovers ballet dancing. Finally he has found something that he can do well. But everybody knows that ballet is for girls, not boys! Will Billy continue to dance? Or have his father and brother got other plans for him? Pearson English Readers
	Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote (Level 4) An unnamed writer remembers living in New York City in the United States of America during World War II. He becomes friends with one of his neighbours, the beautiful yet strange Holly Golightly. Penguin Readers
	Brick Lane by Monica Ali (Level 6) When Nazneen is 18, she marries a much older man and moves from Bangladesh to England to be with her husband. But Brick Lane in London is very different from Nazneen's village, and she speaks no English. Nazneen must try to look after her family and get used to a new, and very strange, country, Penguin Readers
	Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (Level 5) When Eilis gets a job in Brooklyn, New York, she leaves her family in Ireland to travel to a new country. It is an exciting adventure, with lots of new people and things to learn, but Eilis misses Ireland. When she meets someone special, Eilis must choose between her past and her future. Penguin Readers
	Frozen Pizza and other Slices of Life by Antoinette Moses (Level 6) A collection of stories that offer eight slices of life in England today. The themes covered include British eating habits, the media, inner-city problems, immigration, football hooliganism, student life, leisure activities and the countryside. Well-observed, lively and amusing, these stories provide a fascinating picture of the country at the start of a new century Cambridge English Readers
	How To Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum (Level 5) Around 12.7 million tonnes of plastic are entering the ocean every year. By 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. But YOU can make a difference. This book will help you to use less plastic in your homes and communities. Penguin Readers
	Sherlock Holmes (Short Stories) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Level 3) From finding a diamond in a bird's stomach, to stealing a racehorse - in these four stories, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes works with his friend Dr. Watson. Holmes understands people and he finds many clues. But will he solved the crimes? Penguin Readers
	Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Boscombe Pool by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Level 3) Who killed Charles McCarthy at Boscombe Pool? And why? Detective Lestrade from Scotland Yard thinks it was McCarthy's son, James. Things do not look good for James. But the famous English detective, Sherlock Holmes, seed things differently. His friend, Dr Watson, joins him and tells the story. Pearson English Readers
	Short Stories in English by Olly Richards (for beginners) Short Stories in English for Beginners is an unmissable collection of eight entertaining short stories for adult and young adult learners of English. These stories are carefully written to give you a rich and supported reading experience and help you improve your vocabulary and comprehension in a natural way.
	Short Stories in English by Olly Richards (intermediate) Short Stories in English for intermediate Learners is an unmissable collection of eight entertaining short stories for adult and young adult learners looking to expand their language skills in English. These stories are carefully written to give you a rich and supported reading experience and help you improve your vocabulary and comprehension in a natural way.
	Simply Suspense by Frank Stockton, Stacy Aumonier and Alfred Burrage (Level 2) There are three exciting stories in this book. They are all about ... fear! Three people are in dangerous places. What can they do? Will anybody help them? Pearson English Readers
	The Doll's House and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield (Level 4) Katherine Mansfield is one of the most famous short story writers in the English Language. These four stories take place about a hundred years ago in England and New Zealand. They are sometimes funny, sometimes sad and often cruel. Pearson English Readers
	The Extraordinary Life of Steve Jobs (Level 2) Steve Jobs was a brilliant inventor and businessman. His computers, tablets and iPods have changed our lives and work. Steve was sometimes very difficult to work with, but he was also special. He thought about the world in a different way, and he had many brilliant ideas. Penguin Readers
	The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (Level 6) Rachel Watson catches the same train into London every morning. Every day, Rachel looks at the same row of houses and back gardens where she once used to live. But, one day, she sees something shocking happening in one of the gardens. What will Rachel do about it. Penguin Readers
	The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (Level 4) Everybody, is seems, is looking for the statue of a bird, and some of the are dying. Who has the bird? Who knows where it is? Who is telling the truth? Who knows what the truth is? Sam Spade - one of the great private detectives of American fiction - has a new client, and it is his job to find out. Pearson English Readers
	The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Level 3) Every year, Belly goes on holiday with her mom and brother to Susannah's beach house. Susannah has two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. Belly has also loved Conrad, but he things of her like a little sister. But Belly is 15 now, and this is the summer that she has turned pretty ... Penguin Readers
	The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (Level 6) Tom Ripley travels from the United States of America to Italy, to find Dickie Greenleaf and bring him home to his father. But when Tom sees Dickie's money and relaxed way of life, he becomes jealous and begins to make other plans. Penguin Readers
	The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (Level 5) The War of the Worlds is one of the most frightening science fiction novels ever written. When a spaceship falls from the sky and lands in southern England, few people are worried. But when strange creatures climb out and start killing, nobody is safe. Pearson English Readers
	The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (Level 6) Only the Woman in White knows the truth of Laura Fairlie's cruel husband. Can Walter Hartright discover the terrible secret? From the moment Walkter meets this mysterious woman, his future and that of Laura are linked for ever. Pearson English Readers
	Thor - Marvel (Level 3) The older son of Odin, King of Asgard, is strong and brave - but also proud and thoughtless. When Thor's actions put Asgard in great danger from its enemies. Odin sends him away, without his powers, to Earth. Can Thor become wiser, far from home? Will he ever be able to return to Asgard? And what will he find if he does? Pearson English Readers
	Three Tomorrows by Frank Brennan (Level 1) Three stories which ask questions about the world in five years, in a hundred years and in fifteen hundred years. Can an email tell us what to buy? How can you know if someone is a machine or a person? What are the dreams of the last woman to live? Cambridge English Readers

KEY:

Pearson English Readers – cater for beginner English learners taking their first steps into reading English to more advanced learners looking to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading fluency.

Cambridge English Readers is an exciting series of original fiction, specially written for learners of English. Graded into seven levels – from start to advanced – the stories in this series provide easy and enjoyable reading on a wide range of contemporary topics and themes.

Penguin Readers – Penguin Readers is a series of popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction and though-provoking non-fiction, written for learners of English as a foreign language.

Sharing a book with a child is fun! It is a time for closeness, laughing and talking together and it can also give children a flying start in life and help them become school ready.

Here are a few tips:

Read aloud to them.
Choose books that will keep your child’s interest.
Find a comfortable place to sit and read together
Encourage your child to repeat the rhyming words: Room on the Broom, Shark in the Park
Encourage your child to repeat alliteration in the story: Slowly slowly said the sloth, lazy lion, sizzling sausages
Change your voice for different characters and encourage your child to do the same: Deep voice for Daddy Bear, squeaky voice for baby bear
Encourage your child to talk about the story: What is this? Who is this?
Most importantly – Have fun!

What is phonics?

Phonics is a method for teaching the basics of reading and writing.

It works by breaking words down into sounds.

Learning the sounds of letters and how those letters sound when they are combined will help individuals to read.

Titles to support parents

	50 fantastic ideas for teaching phonics by Alistair Bryce-Clegg The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting.
	Bumper Book of Phonics by Sara Wernham and Caroline Petherbridge The Bumper Book of Phonics Fun is a bumper resource packed full of ideas and activities designed to support the teaching of letter sounds in a fun, multisensory way.
	Games, ideas and activities for Primary Phonics by Gill Coulson and Lynn Cousins A collection of 150 unique games and activities to help support your teaching of phonics in the primary classroom. The 150 activities in this new book will apply to children throughout the Foundation Year and Key Stage 1, but are equally useful for children who have moved into Key Stage 2 but are not yet confident with spelling and still need to reinforce their skills.
	How to Create Little Happy Learners (60 simple learning and craft activities for 0-5 year olds) by Sophie David How to Create Little Happy Learners presents an inspiring selection of learning and craft activities designed to promote a love of learning. Written by Sophie David, a former early years teacher and adviser who is now a stay-at-home mum with 3 children under 5, she is now channelling her knowledge and creativity to show-case the craft ideas she was using to keep her children entertained. Here, she offers over 60 fun-packed activities for children, all highlighting different skills (fine motor, phonics, maths, creativity, communication and independence). Split into topics ranging from animals to transport, Sophie not only offers crafting activities that involve children and can be used time and time again utilising everyday items, she also adapts each activity for different age groups (from 0-5 years) so you can reuse the book as your child grows. This book offers a bank of great activities to not only inspire a love of learning in your children but to make that journey a fun, craft filled one.
	How to Help your Child at Primary School (from First Days to Phonics and Fractions) If your child is at Primary School (or starting soon), you’ll probably have noticed a few changes to school life since you were a bright-eyed young learner. That's why we've packed this indispensable CGP book with advice to help you parent your way through Primary like a pro. We've covered the complete Primary journey - from choosing a primary school to preparing your child for secondary school - and included heaps of practical advice on everything from school dinners, to making friends, to sussing out the other parents at the school gates.
	Macmillan English Language (Level 5) by Mary Bowen, Louis Fidge, Liz Hocking and Wendy Wren Macmillan English is an internationally bestselling six-level Primary English course which meets the needs of today's children. Macmillan English 5 is for children who are ready to use carefully selected and supported authentic materials, and to develop their reading and writing skills.
	Phonics at Home by Kate Robinson The perfect guide for helping your child with phonics, containing over 40 fun, multi-sensory games and activities to bring phonics to life in the home environment. Phonics at Home helps parents get to grips with letters and sounds and complements any phonics scheme already used in primary schools. Whether you are home schooling or simply looking for fun activities to keep your child engaged in learning, this is the number one resource for teaching reading, writing and spelling at home
	Reception English Phonics 10-Minute Workouts Perfect for catching up and building key skills at home. From CGP ― the Primary experts! This CGP Weekly Workout book contains a range of 10-Minute workouts to be completed each week - it’s the ideal way for Reception pupils to practise what they’ve been learning! Each Workout is made up of a warm-up, followed by perfectly sequenced practice tasks on a mixture of topics. There’s also a host of friendly characters giving out useful tips, and self-assessment stars to show how confident pupils are with each task.
	Singing Phonics by Helen MacGregor and Catherine Birt Singing Phonics is a song collection for 3-5 year olds, specially designed to support the earliest steps in phonics teaching and enrich young children's experience of language in a fun and interactive way. It includes a range of songs, chants and games, all designed to increase phonics awareness. Each song will come with activities and ideas for further development.