KS1 Reading List — Books for Year 1 and Year 2
Curated reading list for Year 1 and Year 2 children — picture books, early chapter books, poetry, and books for the children just becoming readers. Calibrated for the children who are decoding fluently and ready for richer stories.
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Selected based on subject, grade, and type — with a free option always included.
Books for Reluctant Readers — Curated List
Books specifically chosen to convert reluctant readers — short, accessible, often illustrated, always engaging. For the children who 'don't like reading' (because they haven't found the right book yet). Calibrated for Y2-Y6.
Recommended Books for Ages 5–7 (KS1) — Teacher's Reading List
A curated reading list of 30 picture books and early readers for KS1 — covering fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and diverse voices. With curriculum links and a brief annotation for each title.
English Lead — Professional Reading List
Professional books every primary English Lead should read — the research-grounded titles on phonics, reading-for-pleasure, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing teaching. Honest about which are essential and which are optional.
Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) — Starter Pack
Everything to launch a Drop Everything And Read programme — staff briefing, parent letter, signage, slot timing options, evidence base and FAQ. Ready to deploy in week 1.
Peer Reading (PALS-style) — Setup Pack
A research-backed peer reading programme adapted from PALS — structured pairs, four reading routines (paired reading, retell, paragraph shrink, prediction), pairing rules, and a 6-week launch plan.
Whole-School Reading Progression — Pre-K to Grade 6
How reading skills develop across primary — phase 1 phonics through KS2 inference, summarisation, and critical reading. Includes year-by-year skill expectations, common misconceptions, and the assessment markers that show whether children are on track. The reference document an English Lead returns to most often.